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Last weekend the La Verne softball team hosted the visiting Chapman Panthers in a doubleheader.
Chapman, ranked No. 1 in the nation for Division III, was not going to take La Verne for granted.
The last time these two teams saw each other was at the regional competition hosted by Chapman. La Verne was ready and prepared to take on the Panthers.
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In the first game, the Leopards pounced on the Panthers winning 4-3.
Chapman got on the board early with two runs in the first inning.
At the bottom of the third inning La Verne struck back with their first run from shortstop Jessica DeGiacomo crushing a home run.
Later La Verne scored again with another home run by third baseman Kelly Silagyi at the bottom of the sixth inning.
La Verne going into the bottom of the seventh inning was down 3-2, but with a walk by catcher Amber Guerra set up a game winning two run home run by centerfielder Amanda Jones.
Jones’ home run ended Chapman’s 18-game winning streak and struck the Panthers with their first loss to a Division III opponent this season.
For Jones’ impressive efforts against the Panthers, the senior pitcher/outfielder was named Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Female Athlete of the Week on April 6.
In the second game, La Verne could not seal another win and fell to Chapman 3-2.
Chapman charged in with a vengeance scoring three runs in the second inning.
Panther pitcher Maggie Wilder dominated the game with four hits.
Unfortunately, the Leopards could not come back on defense, committing five errors in game two. The Panthers took advantage of La Verne mistakes to help them to seal the win.
By the fifth inning, the Panthers leapt ahead with another run from center fielder Keely Starr from a Leopard throwing error.
Freshman Jodi Lindsay scored La Verne’s only runs with two RBIs in the seventh inning, to save the Leopards from a shut out.
“Chapman was tough, but we played hard,” Jones said.
The Leopards will travel to Occidental today and host the Tigers in a doubleheader tomorrow at noon at Wheeler Park.
“After a great week of practice we will be ready for Occidental,” second baseman Suzy Riker said.
The team remains optimistic for their upcoming competition.
“We need to keep our heads up and play as hard as we can,” Guerra said.
Matt Griffin can be reached at mgriffin@ulv.edu.
Nicole Knight can be reached at stareknight17@charter.net.