By Miguel Agüero Jr.

LA VERNE, CA- As the weather heated up today, the Leopards did as well. 

Senior Rachel Rubio pitched a great game against the CMS Athenas, firing rockets across the plate. The Athenas scored first,  starting off the 2nd inning with three quick runs. But the Leos woke up their bats in reply when Sophomore Alyssa Campbell fired off a three run homerun, tying the game at 3-3. Senior Marissa Acosta followed it up with a double to deep center, bringing Junior Haylee Hsieh home and giving the Leopards the lead at 4-3. 

The 4th inning gave the Leo's a bases loaded situation. A catcher's interference and a pitch that hit Junior Jaylene Jaloma brought two runs in to make the score 6-3. Sophomore Erika Garcia's patience at the plate brought a run in after a walk, keeping the bases loaded and increasing the score to 7-3. At that point the Athenas brought in Junior Jade Johnson to pitch and she ended the inning.

It was a true team effort for the Leo's with Rubio, Freshman Isabella Garcia, and Acosta adding some acrobatic catches and letting nothing get past them. Additionally, the Leopard's bats continued to shine. To close out the game, Sophomore Erika Garcia took advantage of the runner at third, hit a line drive that split the shortstop and 3rd base, and brought the runner home for the final run of the game, and a 8-3 game score. 

The Leopards look to continue the momentum tomorrow with a double header at CMS.