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Softball set for SCIAC showdown

ULV’s shortstop Laurie Grey focuses on the pitch, giving Pomona-Pitzer a run for its money by sending a line drive deep into left field. With victories today, ULV will play for the conference title tomorrow against Cal Lutheran. / photo by Annette Gutierrez
ULV’s shortstop Laurie Grey focuses on the pitch, giving Pomona-Pitzer a run for its money by sending a line drive deep into left field. With victories today, ULV will play for the conference title tomorrow against Cal Lutheran. / photo by Annette Gutierrez

by Heather Morales
Staff Writer

Entering what could be its final push to earn a playoff berth, the Leo softball team will close out its regular season this weekend with a road doubleheader against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, who upset La Verne in an earlier contest, and host Cal Lutheran tomorrow.

Last weekend, the Leos won three out of four games against Redlands and Pomona-Pitzer.

Losing the first game of the doubleheader at Redlands, 4-3, the Leos came back and won the second game, 6-1.

Freshman pitcher Sharnae Lancaster threw both games, allowing five hits in the first game and only one in the second.

In Saturday’s games, the Leos swept with scores of 9-5 and 9-7. This brings their overall record to 23-9 and their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) record to 17-3.

After each team scored two runs early in the first game, the Leo defense kept Pomona from scoring again until late in the game.

Sophomore shortstop Laurie Grey made a diving catch in the third inning to keep Pomona from getting on base.

In the fourth inning, the Leos scored again when senior first baseman Melissa Trejo brought in two runs following an error by the Pomona first baseman Karen Jager which allowed her to advance to second base.

Pomona scored again in the fifth inning when an error by Trejo allowed the runner to advance to third base, then score, making the score 4-3.

The Leos had an exciting inning in the fifth when Grey led off with a double off the wall in left field. Grey scored when sophomore center fielder Jamie Hesler hit a double to center making the score 5-3.

Another double by freshman pinch hitter Amber Hall brought in Hesler and an error by Pomona left fielder Ruby Banuelos allowed freshman right fielder Stephanie Kiser to advance to second and bring in Hall, to make the score 7-3.

Two more runs were scored later in the game by both teams to make the final score 9-5.

The Leos finish the season this weekend with a doubleheader at Clare­mont-Mudd-Scripps today at 3 p.m. and a home series tomorrow against California Lutheran at noon.

The Leos are currently tied for first place in SCIAC with Cal Lu and if both teams win today, the games on Saturday will be for the championship.

It is a consensus of the players that their chances for making the playoffs are good. Since the SCIAC does not have an automatic playoff berth, a conference title alone does not assure La Verne a spot.

Heather Morales, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Heather Morales
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