Jonathan Corral
Special to the Times
Refining and adding strength to their skills for the second half of Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action, the University of La Verne softball team won three of four games March 10 and 11 at the always-competitive Sun West Tournament at Hart Park in Orange.
The Leopards defeated Thomas More, 8-2, Wittenberg, 3-2, Central, 7-5, and lost their opening round game to Ithaca, 11-8, in what is regarded as one of the toughest tournaments in Southern California.
“This was good for our team,” head coach Robin Haaker said. “I am real proud of the way our team played. We had some awesome performances on both sides and winning three of four is pretty good. As a team we just have to keep momentum going.”
Highlighting the pitching staff was sophomore Mary Olson who pitched two complete games, earning victories in both, while enjoying some great defense behind her.
Kathleen Salvo recorded the other victory in the Leopards 3-2 victory over Wittenberg.
Closing out the weekend, the Leopards used clutch hitting, coupled with five Wittenberg errors to pull out the narrow 3-2 victory.
Jodi Lindsay scored the tying run in the sixth inning and knocked in the winning run in the seventh inning as she finished the game 2-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI.
Catcher Amber Guerra also performed well at the plate, going 2-for-3.
In game three against Thomas More saw the Leopard offense explode for 11 hits, two home runs and a double in route to the 8-2 victory.
Left fielder Morgan Dobis led the way going 3-for-3 with a home run and knocking in three RBIs.
Lindsay and Amanda Jones chipped in going 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI apiece respectively.
Sophomore Suzy Riker also smashed a home run of her own helping the Leopard attack.
In game two the Leopards were less fortunate as Ithaca pounded out 10 runs in the second and third innings never looking back, cruising to the 11-8 victory.
In the last game the errors helped the Leopards, but in this game the errors proved too costly, despite out hitting Ithaca. The Leopards committed five errors that aided Ithaca’s offensive attack.
Kelly Silagyi finished the game 2-for-4, with a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs.
Once again Lindsay contributed well with a home run and two RBI.
The opening game of the tournament was much more of a high note for the Leopards as once again the clutch hitting arrived in the fifth inning propelling the Leopards to a four run inning and the 7-5 victory over Central.
Despite committing four errors once again, the Leopards managed to record seven hits and Olson pitched well down the stretch for the victory.
Third baseman Silagyi led the charge going 2-for-3 with two runs scored knocking in one RBI.
Other sparks on offense were A.J. Taggart and Jessica DeGiacomo, both going 1-for-3 gathering two RBIs apiece respectively.
With these three victories the Leopards improve their record to 12-5.
Taking on non-conference action before SCIAC competition resumes, the Leopards continue their march to the post-season against Lewis and Clark (OR) today at Hayward and California State East Bay at Hayward tomorrow.
Jonathan Corral can be reached at jcorral@ulv.edu.
