Richard Lugo
Staff Writer

Going into last Saturday’s doubleheader against the No. 7 ranked Redlands Bulldogs, the softball team was looking to improve its conference record and establish itself as a team that can play with anyone.
The Leopards failed to accomplish their goal and were beaten decisively, 7-0 and 8-1.

“We struggled to get base runners on and didn’t execute the way we should have,” senior third baseman Lynsey Padilla said.
From early on the Bulldogs pitching stifled the Leopards. ULV got their first and only hit of the game in the fourth inning when Padilla hit a blooper that dropped just in the third base line before the left fielder could get to it.
Redlands’ pitching ace, senior Katie Brnca, was dominant throughout, pitching a complete game shutout.

On offense the Bulldogs were able to score consistently, putting up seven runs and 11 hits.

“Redlands is a disciplined team and they outplayed us,” head coach Julie Smith said. “We need to start taking things more personal, be more accountable and we each need to take care of our responsibilities.”

“Redlands is a tough team but we should’ve played much better,” senior pitcher Karina Ortiz said. “We got down early and were never able to climb our way back in the game.”

In game two, Redlands continued aggressive scoring and pitching against ULV.

The Bulldogs scored three runs in the second inning to jump out to an early lead that the Leopards would never catch up to.

The top of the fourth inning started out bad for ULV as junior catcher Melissa Carlson was ejected for arguing a call.

Carlson seemed to be hit on her elbow with the pitch; however, the home plate umpire insisted that her hand, which by the rules is part of the bat, was hit first.

La Verne’s senior first baseman Jodi Lindsay responded and hit a double to right center field to drive in sophomore catcher Jessica Hernandez.

The Bulldogs scored again in the fourth inning, and added three more in the sixth to put the game away.

Redlands’ sophomore catcher Nicky Neumann had a great game, batting 3-for-3, with four RBIs.

ULV’s offense struggled, scoring only one run on three hits.
“I’m disappointed in the loss and frustrated in our performance,” Padilla said. “We have the talent to be a great team, and I honestly believe that we are much better than our record indicates. We need to start giving our pitchers run support, and our defense needs to come together and get outs.”

“This is a very humbling sport,” Smith said. “There are peaks and valleys and right now we need to climb our way out. We need to pull together, believe in each other, and find consistency.”

The Leopards will face Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Saturday at noon at Wheeler Park in La Verne.

Richard Lugo can be reached at rlugo@ulv.edu.