Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern

La Verne, CA — Senior day magic wasn't enough for the University of La Verne Softball team, who celebrated their four seniors after a postgame loss to the Chapman Panthers on Friday afternoon, 5-2.

Shortstop Bailey Grani, infielder Jillian Gellatly, pitcher/infielder Kat Navarro and pitcher Kaitlyn Shephard were all honored after the game for their contributions on and off the diamond during their time spent as Leos. Chapman pitching dominated most of the ballgame Friday, combined with untimely defensive mistakes that cost La Verne runs. Right-hander Rachel Rubio went the distance over seven innings, surrendering the loss while racking up three strikeouts for 75 total in 2022. Out of 108 pitches, 77 were strikes. La Verne's offense managed six hits in the game, all from different players. One of those six was Haylee Hsieh, who led off the bottom of the first with a walk and stole second before she was driven home on Natalia Aguilera's two-strike, two-out RBI single. The Leopards did not score again until the seventh when they strung together another short two-out rally on a couple hits and Chapman errors. Gellatly, who pinch-ran for Janisa Rojo who singled, came around to score. La Verne and Chapman head into Saturday's head-to-head doubleheader tied for second place in SCIAC with another team: the Claremont-Mudd Scripps Athenas, all of which own 12-7 conference records. The outcomes of tomorrow's ballgames will determine the seeding for the SCIAC postseason tournament, which accepts the top-four teams.