by Jonathan Corral
Assistant Editor
One could not have scripted a better start for the University of La Verne softball team in its weekend series with Whittier College.
In a three-game set, the Leopards mauled the Poets with a hitting barrage, excellent pitching and defense to start Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a perfect 3-0 record with 8-2, 14-1 and 11-2 victories in rainy conditions this past weekend.
For the weekend series the Leopards (5-4, 3-0 SCIAC) scored 33 runs, hit six homeruns and earned 12 extra base hits, which resulted in an outstanding team batting average and gave Whittier no chance.
“Offensively we came alive on Saturday and truly accomplished our goal,” head coach Robin Haaker said. “Our goal was to score eight runs and not settle after that.”
The defense was just as lethal, with Leopard pitchers holding the Poets at bay, only allowing five runs the entire series.
“We fundamentally got the job done and had some great plays out in the field,” Haaker said. “I was very impressed with our teams overall effort, each player had an impact on the game.”
The Leopards started game three with a bang when Amanda Jones hit a two-run home run for the early 2-0 lead.
The game slowed from there when starting pitcher Elaine Martinez ran into problems with her control and allowed the Poets to even the score at 2.
That was as close Whittier would get to victory, with the Leopards scoring nine unanswered runs, three in the fourth plus six in the fifth to cap things off and give them the 11-2 victory.
Starting shortstop Jessica DeGiacomo led the Leopards hitting two-for-three with three RBIs and scoring two runs.
Game two of the series was pure perfection. From the first pitch the Leopards onslaught began as they took advantage of Whittier’s pitching and defense resulting in six first-inning runs.
Leading the charge was Martinez, who paved the way in the first with her two-run double bringing home Morgan Dobis and Ashley Savage.
In the bottom half of the inning, DeGiacomo set the tone for the defense with her backhanded grab and throw for the first out.
“As a team we stepped it up and played two great games,” DeGiacomo said. “We stepped it up offensively and defensively because we were not satisfied with the way we played on Friday.”
The Leopards put the rest of the game on cruise control with their flawless play on offense and defense.
Sparks flew in the top of the third when Amber Guerra hit a rocket over the outfield fence for the three-run shot.
DeGiacomo quickly followed suit with a two-run blast of her own that gave the Leopards a commanding 12-0 lead.
Wanting to join the home run parade, Dobis hit a solo home run in the top half of fourth that landed in the Whittier Hills.
DeGiacomo nearly added her second home run of the game when she sent a line drive deep to the outfield coming inches from the fence, but instead ended up with a double that drove in Dobis.
The Leopards added two more runs and capped off the afternoon, giving them the 14-1 victory.
Mary Olsen pitched a complete game, only allowing one run and one hit while striking out five along the way to victory.
Other outstanding performances were turned in by Martinez who finished the game three-for-three and two RBIs. Jones also performed well with two hits and two RBIs.
“I think after Fridays game, we were not satisfied even though we won the game,” Guerra said. “After that game we decided to step it up and play the way we normally do and it showed on Saturday.”
The opening game of the series was the closest for the Leopards compared to the other two. Jones took the mound and pitched an absolute gem, only allowing two runs on three hits in seven innings of work with her defense and offense backing her up.
Once again the Leopards did not allow the Poets to get in the game by scoring five runs in the first inning and shutting the door quickly.
The Leopards were sparked by, third basemen Kelley Silagyi who went two-for-two with a homerun and first basemen Savage who knocked in three going one-for-two at the plate with a homerun of her own.
The Leopards added three more runs in the third and fifth innings, respectively, while their defense stopped any threat the Poets tried to mount.
“We got off to a good start this weekend,” Guerra said. “As a team we hope to win conference, make it to regionals and do well there. Those are the goals for the rest of the season.”
This weekend the Leopards put there perfect conference record on the line with a three game series against Cal Lutheran beginning in Thousand Oaks Friday, followed by a doubleheader Saturday at Wheeler Park.
“The games this weekend were a good start to what we hope to accomplish this season,” Haaker said. “Our main focus is to win league, but we are taking every game as it comes.”
Jonathan Corral
