LA VERNE, Calif. — Amanda Chavez drove in the go-ahead runs in the sixth inning of Game 1 of the season-opening doubleheader and the University of La Verne softball team beat Cal State San Marcos, 5-3, at Campus West softball field on Sunday afternoon.
The Leopards dropped the second game, 8-0, in five innings.
After Katy Kibbe tied the first game at 3-3 with a bases-loaded single to center, Chavez followed it up with single up the middle that just eluded the reach of the shortstop to score two more.
Kibbe, who started the game as the designated player but moved into the circle in the fifth inning, then finished the game with a strikeout and a groundball. She picked up the win in 2.2 innings of relief.
She also went 2-for-4 hitting, getting solid contact on the ball throughout the game.
La Verne got on the board first. Rebecca Ireland led off the bottom of the third with a talk, Alexis Schiff moved her over to second and Kibbe hit a line drive to center to put runners on second and third. Amanda Chavez then hit a grounder to short but the catcher muffed a perfect throw to the plate, which allowed Ireland to score. Then BreeAnna De La Rosa pulled a liner down the left field line to give the Leopards a two-run lead.
Cal St. San Marcos got the two runs back and one more with one swing of the bat in the fifth inning. Lindsay Cerulle and Robyn Alvara started the inning off with a single apiece and Naomi Amu followed with a homer to left center to give the Cougars a 3-2 lead.
Victoria Baltazar and Raeleen Tellez made their collegiate debuts at second base and center field, respectively, and notched a hit apiece.
Ireland was 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks.
Rachel Hong got the Opening Game nod in the circle and went 4.1 innings while striking out three.
La Verne couldn't get much going offensively in the afternoon-cap. Baltazar went 2-for-2 but the rest of the lineup was held hitless.
The Cougars broke through in the third with another three-run homer, this time by Melyssa Bellamy.
Cal State San Marcos then put together four runs and took advantage of an error to put up five more runs in the fourth inning.
La Verne returns to action next Saturday, Jan. 31 when it hosts Whitworth for a doubleheader. The first game starts at noon.
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