By Cyanna Rosa

CLAREMONT, CA - The University of La Verne softball team headed to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps today after an 8-3 win against the Athenas at home yesterday. Today's SoCal weather played in the Leopard's favor, as Seniors Marissa Acosta and Rachel Rubio thrived in the sunshine. 

Game one of the day was heavy-scoring, showcased by Acosta's 3 RBIs and her foot on a base in 4 out of the 8 Leopard runs. After Junior Mia Pintado crossed home plate from a sacrifice fly by Sophomore Alyssa Campbell, Acosta singled to center field - proving instrumental to a quick three-run lead in the second inning. The Leopards, led by Rubio on the mound, held a 4-3 lead until the bottom of the sixth when the Athenas pulled ahead by one. Rubio, challenged by the deficit, left the Athenas scoreless for the last two innings of the game, enabling her Leopards to wake up their bats. Sophomore Erica Garcia's RBI double down the left field line brought in Sophomore Ashley Rodriguez to tie the game in the 7th and set the stage for an 8th inning battle.

With the score tied at 5-5, the Leopards took up the challenge.

Acosta's record holding RBI double to the center field target raised her RBI count to 20 on the season and brought Senior Taylor Gray across the plate. Junior Jaylene Jaloma's single to left field scored Junior Haylee Hsieh, and Sophomore Erica Garcia fired off a single to left field brining home Acosta for the 8th and final run of the game. The Athena's had no answer to the Leopards firepower, and the game finished with the Leo's winning 8-5.

Game two found CMS with a 1-0 lead in the 4th inning. Tied for second in RBI's with Freshman Isabella Garcia, Sophomore Ashley Rodriguez singled to right to tie up the game in the 5th. But the Leo's left the bases loaded in the 6th, and Athena Abby Thompson ended the 1-1 standoff with a one run home run.

After a three-game conference series, the Leopards took the series 2-1 and sit on a 4-7 overall SCIAC record to date. 

The Leopards will continue their conference schedule at Redlands to complete their final game of the tied 1-1 series that was postponed due to rain. Game-time will be 3 PM Tuesday, April 11th at the Bulldog's field.