SportsSoftball

Softball defends title via Oxy sweep

Occidental third baseman Joy Healy's tag was just a little bit late, allowing sophomore center fielder Libby Ramos to slide safely into third. Ramos later came around to score for the Leopards. La Verne swept Occidental to clinch the SCIAC title. / photo by Tom Galaraga
Occidental third baseman Joy Healy’s tag was just a little bit late, allowing sophomore center fielder Libby Ramos to slide safely into third. Ramos later came around to score for the Leopards. La Verne swept Occidental to clinch the SCIAC title. / photo by Tom Galaraga

by Tom Chambers
Staff Writer

Mission completed. The University of La Verne softball team won SCIAC conference by sweeping Occidental last Saturday, and there was nothing accidental about it.

Despite a scare from conference rival Cal Lutheran, the Leopards have expected this all season long.

Their new challenge, should they choose to accept it; to win regionals and go to nationals. This message will not self-destruct. It will live in the corner of every player’s mind.

“Mission Impossible?” Not according to sophomore center fielder Libby Ramos.

“We are expecting to do very well regionally and advance to nationals,” said Ramos.

The Leopards learn Sunday who and where they play for the regional playoffs.

Chances are the tournament will be held in Texas or at neighboring Chapman, but when, who and where they play seems to be inconsequential.

Despite rumored controversy, the team’s confidence is souring. And why shouldn’t it be?

This year’s sequel to last year’s title establishes them as the premiere team in SCIAC, as well as a national threat. Nationally, the Leopards are ranked ninth in the country.

Last weekend’s tripleheader against Occidental capped a terrific season and involved a mercy, a scare and a broom.

ULV had one close game, one blow out, ending with the mercy rule and a clean sweep of Occidental.

Sophomore Mandy Tillema pitched the first two games and Sue Witcher closed out the Poet’s for the third and final game.

Friday’s game at Eagle Rock brought little excitement as the Leopards defeated the Tigers, 6-1, in just over an hour.

Saturday, the Leopards continued to roll, winning the first game of the doubleheader 11-1. More than 40 people showed up at Wheeler Park to watch ULV mercy Occidental.

“We’re playing with a lot of confidence right now. We know we’re a good team, but don’t want to lose focus of what’s in front of us,” said sophomore Jackie Russo.

The third and final game did not mirror the first two. The University of La Verne needed three pitchers to break out the broom and win the game by one run, 8-7.

Witcher earned the win pitching five innings, giving up three runs, only two of which were earned. Sophomore Amanda Stutevoss and Tillema split the last two innings, with the defense bringing the win home for ULV.

A standout over the weekend was senior Kadie Tillema. “A mainstay of our team,” as recently said by head coach Julie Kline, she scored four runs and had three hits in four at bats in all three games, proving Kline’s point with hall of fame numbers.

Senior Robin Haaker added four hits and four runs, while Ramos had four hits with three runs. Sophomore Jackie Russo has also improved her play defensively and offensively.

With certain players shining brighter than others, no one player has failed to mention the importance of the team. They have chosen to burn bright as a team, rather than individuals.

Tom Chambers
Other Stories
Tom Galaraga, Assistant Managing Editor
Tom Galaraga
Other Stories
Previous article
Incidents common to Vietnam
Next article
Leopard Scoreboard

Latest Stories

Related articles

News

Campus Times staff wins 10th consecutive gold from CSPA

The Campus Times this month received its 10th consecutive Gold Medal award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for spring semester 2006.
News

Campus Times takes top award

In an impressive display of academic and journalistic aptitude, the Campus Times pummeled the competition at a recent Society of Professional Journalists awards ceremony.
News

ULV receives across-the-board press awards

ULV communication students cleaned up at the California Intercollegiate Press Association contest for work produced during the 2002-2003 year. The University's newspaper, magazine, and radio and television stations all won the sweepstakes in their respective categories, making them each the most decorated publications and stations in the state in their respective categories.
News

Awards honor academic excellence

Outstanding students, their parents and University of La Verne faculty packed Founders Auditorium Saturday for the annual academic awards ceremony.