Billy Ray Lopez, Sports Information Graduate Assistant
LA VERNE, CA — Jocelyn Roberston left the yard in the third and struck out three in her but it wasn't enough as the University of La Verne softball team lost the rubber match of a three-game weekend series to the Chapman Panthers 11-4 on Sunday afternoon.
Season Impact
The University of La Verne Leopards dropped to 1-2 overall and 1-2 in the SCIAC. The Chapman Panthers improved to 7-9 overall and 7-5 in the SCIAC.
How It Happened
The Panthers came out strong scoring two runs in the first inning courtesy of a couple of RBI singles from Julia Muniz and Annika Briski.
The Leopards fought back and scored a run their first time up and tied the game at 2-2 with a game-tying RBI single by Linda Gherir.
The Panthers quickly added two more runs in the third inning to take a 4-2 lead.
The Leopards responded in a big way in the bottom half of the third inning. Jocelyn Robertson stepped up and sent a two-run bomb over the center field fence to tie the game 4-4. The two-run blast is the first of Robertson's career and the first of the season for La Verne.
The Panthers took back the lead in the fourth inning scoring four runs in the inning, capped off by a two-run home run by Zela Chahbazian. They held onto their 8-4 lead and added three more runs in the seventh inning making the score 11-4. Julia Muniz added the final blow by doubling to right field scoring Tracie Okummura and Mykala Tokunaga.
Bright Spot for La Verne
The Leopards were led by center fielder Linda Gherir who went 2-3, scored a run, and drove in a run.
Offensively the Panthers were led by Julia Muniz who went 4-5 at the plate with two doubles, three runs, and four RBIs. Mykala Tokunaga pitched four innings of relief and improved to 3-0 on the season.
What's Next
The Leopards softball team will be back in action this Wednesday at home in a doubleheader against Redlands starting at 4 p.m.
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