CLAREMONT, Calif. — The University of La Verne softball team used balanced hitting and limited big innings on defense to sweep Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday afternoon at Wig Beach Field.
Game 1: La Verne 3, Pomona-Pitzer 2
Rachel Ogata knocked in the winning run and Katherine Kibbe was nearly flawless in the final four innings in the circle as the Leopards topped Pomona-Pitzer, 3-2, in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday at Wig Beach Field.
With the game tied at 2-2 in top of the fourth inning, Ogata pulled a two-out single to right field to score Sienna Kendricks and that was all the Leopards would need as Kibbe shook off a bumpy start to keep the Sagehns hitless in the final four frames.
Kibbe's only blemish during the stretch was a hitting Natalie Ireland to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Ireland reached second on a fielder's choice and stole third with two outs to threaten the Leopards, but Kibbe got Sofia Baig to fly out to end the game.
Kibbe (3-2) scattered just five hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out in a complete game victory.
Eight starters got at least a hit for La Verne and Carly Condon and Victoria Baltazar led the Leopards with two hits apiece.
Rodarte (1-1) was charged with the loss for the Sagehens.
Game 2: La Verne 6, Pomona-Pitzer 3
Melissa Garcia hit a two-run homer and La Verne broke out for four runs in the sixth inning to beat the Sagehens, 6-3, in the nightcap.
Garcia cranked a two-out, two-run shot in the top of the sixth inning in her first at-bat of the game to put the Leopards up, 5-2. Before the homer, Alexis Schiff had doubled in Mackenzie Dutton with a double and Kibbe followed with another doubles to give the Leoards a 3-2 lead.
Lyndsay Godwin (1-0) picked up her first win of the season in relief. The senior gave up one run on four hits in 3.2 innings while striking out three. Godwin inherited two runners with one out in a 1-1 tie and gave up an RBI double to the second batter she faced, but was solid the rest of the way.
Emily Rockhill (0-1) was tagged with the loss, giving up four runs in five innings.
Schiff finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and three runs to pace La Verne's offense.
Rodarte went 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Sagehens.
Up next
The Leopards are back in action on Monday at home against Redlands.
