LA VERNE, CA — Jiana Rojo earned the win in the circle in game one, hit a home run in game two, and the University of La Verne softball team scored a pair of wins over the St. Katherine Firebirds on the opening day of the 2020 season.
Game One: La Verne 8, St. Katherine 0 (6 Innings)
Katheryn Navarro led the Leopards with three RBI and a pair of walks in game one against the Firebirds. The senior notched all three of her RBI in the first inning when she hit a base-clearing double to left center to bring in Shelby Tevis, Tauney Mack, and Kayla Giannatasio to cap off a seven-run inning.
Junior transfer Niyah Brown got the Leopards on the board with an RBI single to left in the first inning that scored Taylor Gray. Giannatasio, Mack, and Tevis each added an RBI in the inning.
Sophia Sansone ended the game in the sixth when she reached on a fielder's choice that scored Tevis.
Rojo stuck out a career-high eight batters in the win while allowing just three hits. Offensively, the junior led La Verne with two hits
Clarissa Salazar and Gray each stole a base in the win.
POSTGAME: Jiana Rojo earned the win in the circle in game 1 and hit a home run in game 2 to lead @ULVSOFTBALL to a pair of wins on opening day #GoLeos #d3sb pic.twitter.com/Hy7tTmjdAO
— La Verne Leopards (@ULVAthletics) January 19, 2020
Game Two: La Verne 7, St. Katherine 0
The Leopards got out to another first-inning lead on their way to a win in game two.
Rojo provided the highlight of the game win she hit her first career home run in the fifth inning to score Francheska Juarez and put the Leopards up 6-0.
Freshman Janisa Rojo added the final touch to the win when she doubled in Sarah Chavez in her first collegiate at-bat.
Justice Borden and Giannatasio each finished with an RBI in the win. Juarez crossed the plate three times, and Chavez stole a base.
Rachel Rubio picked up the win in the first start of her college career, striking out seven in six and one-third innings of work. Lexie Raasch closed out the game and struck out one.
POSTGAME: @ULVSOFTBALL HC Dennis Blas talks about the Leopards? opening day wins #GoLeos #d3sb pic.twitter.com/rZSes8vJhj
— La Verne Leopards (@ULVAthletics) January 19, 2020
Next Game
The Leopards have a tough test next weekend when they host NAIA power Vanguard in a doubleheader beginning at noon. The Lions are currently ranked No. 9 in the NAIA.
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