Christopher Guzman
Staff Writer
The Leopards dropped both games in their double header Saturday against conference leader Redlands, putting an end to their 13-game winning streak and missing out on their chance to take first place in conference.
The Bulldogs junior pitcher Olivia Ellis was credited with both wins, holding the Leopards to just four runs with 10 strikeouts and no walks in the combined two games.
It was Ellis’ third win against the Leopards this season.
“Their pitcher did a good job against us,” head coach Julie Smith said. “Our hitters weren’t making their adjustments.”
The two losses were the first for the Leopards since a loss to Whittier on March 8.
The losses drop their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record to 12-6. They now find themselves in third place in SCIAC behind Redlands (13-3) and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (11-5), whom they will play a doubleheader against on Friday.
“We just have to keep our confidence and take care of the small things,” sophomore shortstop Ashley Paul said.
Sophomore Delaney Baylor got the loss in game one after giving up four runs en route to a 7-1 defeat. Baylor still posts an impressive pitching record at 13-5.
The Bulldogs scored on an RBI double by senior Dory Baga and an RBI single by freshman outfielder Breanna Ruelas in the first inning.
The Leopards’ only run came on a home run by senior Lynsey Padilla in the bottom of the first inning, her fourth on the year.
Sophomore Brianna Hogg relieved Baylor after the second inning, allowing three runs over five innings.
The Bulldogs added two more runs in the fifth inning on an RBI double by sophomore Lizett Casillas.
In the second game, junior pitcher Sabrina Garcia got the start for the Leopards, giving up five runs on 11 hits.
The Bulldogs took the lead in the fifth inning when the Leopards allowed an inside the park home run to senior outfielder Roxy Lambert.
The Leopards tied the score at three in the bottom half of the fifth inning on an RBI double by senior second baseman Ashley Meneely. Meenley is hitting .343 on the year with 13 RBIs.
The Bulldogs would take the lead for good in the sixth inning on a two RBI double by Ruelas finishing off the Leopards with a 5-3 win.
Freshman Diandra Burns went 2-4 in game two adding an RBI.
Even though the losses were crucial for the Leopards, they know that they still have some time before the beginning of the SCIAC tournament.
“We know what we have to work on now,” freshman infielder Tara Allis said. “It’s not a good time to lose but it’s better now than later.”
The Leopards returned to action Tuesday in a non-conference doubleheader with Pt. Loma Nazarene.
Game one went to the Leopards, 5-2.
Baylor got the start for the Leopards, throwing four innings only giving up one earned run on two hits.
Garcia then came into the game and tallied the win, pitching a scoreless three innings and giving up only one hit. Garcia improved her record to 5-1.
Senior Melissa Carlson sparked the Leopards’ offense going 2-4 with 2 RBIs.
The freshman catcher Daryn Schively also contributed with two hits and two RBIs.
Game two was won easily by Pt. Loma, 14-1, in five innings.
Melissa Gomez got the win for the Sea Lions, throwing four innings, striking out four and giving up just one earned run. The offense was highlighted by shortstop Jenel Guadagno going a perfect 3-3 with two RBIs.
The Leopards return to conference play when visit Claremont-Mudd-Scripps for a doubleheader at 2 p.m. Friday.
Christopher Guzman can be reached at christopher.guzman@laverne.edu.
