Leopards heat up, head out to Orange

by Nate Silva
Staff Writer

Putting their undefeated record on the line the University of La Verne's softball team took the field three times last weekend against the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer. Their fans would soon find out that the Leopard would have very little to worry about as they disposed of the overmatched Sagehens in all three games.

In the first game Friday afternoon, the Leopards traveled to Pomona-Pitzer's home field, but it served as little advantage for the Sagehens. After five innings the game was called due to the eight run mercy rule and the Leopards registered their sixth win of the season, with an easy 14-0 victory.

The offense was led by the hot bat of junior Sue Whitcher who went 2-2 with a double and a home run, driving in five of La Verne's runs.

Leopard hitters continued to connect the following morning, as La Verne batted just four times on their home field in another five-inning contest.

Whitcher, who started in the circle of Saturday's doubleheader, threw a one-hitter while striking out six of the 19 batters she faced. Whitcher also continued her offensive charge, belting her second home run in as many games and driving in three of the Leopards' 11 runs.

Teammate Kim Schrepfer also went deep for La Verne in game one and finished the day 4-5 with three RBI.

Capturing the feeling of the Leopards' bats that would score 33 runs in this three game series.

"We are really starting to hit better as a team," said Whitcher.

The third match up between the two teams would be no different as the Sagehens were again shutout by the Leopards.

A game that lasted just over an hour would see Pomona-Pitzer get just two hits off of starting pitcher, freshman Chrissy Zehrbach.

Zehrbach exhibited great control over her five innings of work striking out six, while not walking any.

Perfect through 2 1/3, Zehrbach gave up a single that dropped just fair over the first baseman's head.

The Leopards' arm would surrender another hit in the top of the fourth inning, but no Sagehen runner would get past second base.

Though Zehrbach only needed one run for the win, the Leopard again scored eight, forcing the umpire to call the game in the bottom of the fifth.

In their last six games, which have all been against SCIAC foes Pomona-Pitzer and Redlands, the Leopards have outscored their opponents 75-0.

Though their SCIAC games have not been close, the Leopards have not lost sight of what they need to do.

"Our first priority is conference. We try to take one game at a time," says head coach Julie Kline.

La Verne will try to keep their undefeated record, which now stands at 8-0-1, intact as they face the competition of the Chapman Tournament. The tournament, which lasts two weeks, will give the Leopards opportunities to test their strength against eight non-league teams, including many from out of state.

"We are looking forward to our upcoming games at the Chapman Tournament," says Whitcher, who will split time between first base and the pitcher's circle.

"It will be a good test for us," says Klein. In the tournament the Leopards will face competition closer to their own #15 national ranking, including Central who eliminated La Verne from postseason play last year.

Kline credits her team's all around game saying, "We're strong in all aspects, our pitching staff is very dominant, but so is our offense."

The Leopards next game will be today at home against the Whittier Poets at 2 p.m.