LA VERNE, CA – It was Senior Day today at the University of La Verne, and the Leopards honored their two graduating seniors – Clarissa Salazar and Rachel Rubio, as well as three women who will be graduating early to making their way in the world after today.
GAME 1. The Leopard bats were on fire early with an RBI each by Marissa Acosta, Clarissa Salazar and Erica Garcia in each of the first three innings. Garcia scored on an error in the bottom of the fourth, setting up an interesting late inning situation. An unconventional strike out and a dropped third strike put Rodriguez on first and scored Ashley Ramirez. Erica Garcia bounced one down the middle for an RBI single to bring Marissa Acosta home. The 6-0 score would stand until the final strike, and the Leopards took the game to move into game 2.
GAME 2. Erica Garcia started the Leopards off with a single to right field that brought home Haylee Hsieh for the 1-0 start. Having gone scoreless today for nine straight, the Panthers got on the board to tie it up 1-1 in the third inning. Chapman scored two more in the top of the fourth and the Leopards escaped the inning with two Panthers left on base, and a Panther 3-1 score.
The Leopards immediately cut it to a one run ball game when Mia Pintado singled up the middle to bring home Taylor Gray. Garcia singled through the left side in the 5th bringing Acosta and the tying run across the plate, 3-3. A huge hit to left field by Gray brought Garcia home and the inning ended with La Verne on top, 4-3.
Rachel Rubio earned her 100th strikeout for the 2023 season when she closed out the 6th for the Leopards. The game ended when Clarissa Salazar sprinted in for the final grab out of right field, giving La Verne their final out and the series win to end the 2023 season.
The Leopards finish the season 21-17 overall, and 9-12 in SCIAC play.
(photo by @flicksbycinco)
