The University of La Verne posted a pair of come-from-behind victories over Whitworth University, rallying to wins of 3-2 and 4-2 to cap a doubleheader sweep over the visiting Pirates Saturday at Wheeler Park.
In the opener, the Pirates (3-3) took a 2-0 lead in the third, but the Leopards would counter with single runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings to pull out the victory.
In the top of the third, Whitworth took advantage of four walks as it scored its two runs on a single hit as Jamie Brunne flied out for an RBI and Megan John walked with the bases loaded for a two-run lead.
In the bottom of the third, Laura Olson scored on a passed ball. In the bottom of the fifth, Raven Freret singled home Olson to tie the contest at 2-2
La Verne went ahead to stay when in the bottom of the sixth as Breeanna De La Rosa drove in the winning run with a two-out single up the middle in the bottom of the inning to score Melisa Sponholz.
Though the Pirates got the first two runners on base in the seventh inning. Leopard pitcher Ashley Moore held Whitworth scoreless by recording three straight outs, capped by a strikeout to end the game en route to picking up the win.
In the second game, Whitworth held a 2-1 lead only to watch the Leos rally for three runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull out the doubleheader sweep.
The game was scoreless until Whitworth got on the board in the top of the fifth inning. Sacha Clow came in to score when a ground ball by Natalie Evers led to a Leopard error.
After La Verne tied the game in the bottom of the fifth when a double from Rachel Hong advance Sponholz to third base. Sponholz scored on a groundout from Danielle Vela to knot the contest at 1-1.
The Pirates retook the lead in the top of the sixth when Brittany Conner scored on a Leopard error.
In the bottom of the inning Candice Nunez singled home the tying run with one out. Three consecutive walks by Whitworth - the last coming to Mackenzie Dutton - provided the Leos with the go-ahead run for a 3-2 lead. Hong followed and would single home Nunez for the final run.
Lyndsay Godwin pitched the final three innings and held the Pirates scoreless in the seventh to preserve the win for the Leopards.
The Leopards (4-0) return to the diamond in two weeks as it opens SCIAC play against Cal Lutheran for a doubleheader on February 16 at Wheeler Park.
