ORANGE, CA — Haylee Hsieh hit an RBI double in the top of the fifth to tie the game 2-2 and the No. 3 seed University of La Verne Leopards were in position to upset No. 2 seed Chapman in the opening round of the SCIAC Softball Postseason Tournament.
But the Panthers broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth scoring four runs to take a 6-2 lead on their way to a 7-2 win.
The Leopards move on to the elimination game tomorrow at 10 a.m. where they will face Cal Lutheran. The Regals dropped their opening game to No. 1 seed Redlands 4-2. Chapman will play Redlands at 1 p.m. The winner of the game between the Leopards and Regals will advance to play the loser of the Bulldogs-Panthers matchup later that day.
The remainder of the tournament will be hosted by Redlands.
After Chapman took the opening 1-0 lead, Linda Gherir tied the game in the top of the third when she singled down the left field line to bring in Hsieh. Chapman briefly jumped back in front the next inning until Hsieh stepped up to the play in the fifth, unleashing a double to center that scored Mia Pintado.
But the Panthers quickly responded, scoring four runs the following inning and adding an insurance run in the sixth to seal the win.
Pinch hitter Jaylene Jaloma added a spark late for the Leopards, blasting a double to left field on the only pitch she saw in the game.
Season Impact
The Leopards move to 3-4 overall and Chapman improves to 9-11 overall.
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