The University of La Verne used a strong overall pitching effort along with timely hitting to notch a doubleheader sweep over Pomona-Pitzer in SCIAC softball action Friday at Sagehen Field in Claremont.
La Verne rallied from a two-run deficit to take the opener 3-2 before shutting out the Hens 4-0 in the nightcap to take both games of the twinbill.
In the first game, Pomona-Pitzer went up 2-0 in the bottom of the second on a two-run double from Paige Oliver to drive in Megan Tokunaga and Leah Bleichner.
The Leos continued to face a two-run deficit until they opened the top of the sixth with three consecutive singles to plate their first run. Danielle Vela led off with a hit up the middle and was followed by Breeanna De La Rosa, who reached on a bunt single to put runners on first and second. Melisa Sponholz followed with an RBI single to the right side to score Vela, cutting the lead to 2-1.
With two out, Jackie Duran reached on a Sagehen error which scored Sponholz to knot the game at 2. Mackenzie Dutton then delivered the go-ahead hit, stroking a double to score Duran from second base for a 3-2 Leopard advantage.
Pomona-Pitzer threatened in the bottom of the seventh as Oliver walked and was lifted for pinch runner Stephanie Boden. Two outs later, Boden reached third base, but Rebecca Ho induced a game-inning groundout to strand Boden to secure the Leopard victory.
Vela and De La Rosa each went 2-4 at the plate for the Leos. Ho struck out four batters in relief to earn the victory.
In the second game, the Leopards jumped out to a 2-0 lead on four hits in the top of the first inning. Vela led off with a single and would advance to third on a Raven Freret single to right field. A run scoring single from Dutton plated Vela and Sponholz followed by driving in Freret with the fourth single of the frame.
La Verne added two more runs in the third. Duran reached on a Pomona-Pitzer error and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Dutton. A walk to Sponholz and a single from Lyndsay Godwin loaded the bases, and Taylor Williams delivered with an RBI single to score Duran for the Leopards' third run. Amanda Copas was then hit by a pitch as Dutton would come home for a 4-0 Leopard lead.
That would be more than enough support for the pitching duo of Godwin and Rachel Hong as the pair combined on a six-hit shutout.
All told, the Leopard offense collected 13 hits in the game, 12 of which were singles. Williams led the Leopard hit parade with a 4-4 performance at the plate. Freret finished 2-4 while Vela had yet another multi-hit game going 2-5.
La Verne extended its win streak to six games as it improved to 19-9 overall and 11-7 in conference play. Pomona-Pitzer dropped to 10-13 and 4-10, respectively.
The Leopards will resume play next Friday as it plays host to SCIAC leader Chapman (19-7, 12-4) in a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 pm.
