Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College women's softball team after winning their first two games 7-6 against Hope International opened up SCIAC play this afternoon against the University of La Verne and was unable to stop their bats dropping the twin bill 15-7 and 14-8.

The Poets now drop to 2-2, 0-2 SCIAC, while La Verne improves to 3-0, 2-0 SCIAC. 

Game 1 (L, 15-7)

La Verne came out with their bats on fire as they combined for 15 runs on 16 hits, making it very difficult for the Poets to keep up within the contest.  The Leopards scored in every inning but both the Poets and Leopards combined for 13 runs in the 5^th. 

After La Verne put up eight runs the Poets answered themselves with five runs as Emi Shimamoto doubled to right center followed by Denisse Martinez's single through the six hole.  With runners on the corners Mickala Gonzales doubled to left center driving in the Poets first run of the game.  But the Poets weren't done there as Samantha Mellano singled up the middle driving in two.  A pitching change took place for the Leopards but it didn't make a difference as Jordan learn doubled down the left field line followed by Alexandra Flores' double to left center driving in two more.    

This half inning got Whittier within seven and despite getting runs in the next two innings it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit as the game was called after five innings with La Verne up by eight.

Jessica Rosnack was tagged with her second loss of the season going 2.2 innings giving up eight hits and 10 runs.

Freshman Shimamoto had yet another breakout game as she went 2-3 with two runs and two RBI's.          

Game 2 (L, 14-8)

Game 2 started off on a different foot as Whittier jumped on the scoreboard first with four runs in the bottom half of the first behind Nikki Mendoza' homerun off of the first pitch she saw.  That was followed up by a Martinez double to left center followed by three straight walks that put three more runs across the plate.

The Poets tacked on another run in the second as Martinez came around to score after Mellano singled to the pitcher but this lead would be short lived as the Leopards put up a 7 spot in the top half of the third behind two homeruns from Freret and Burns.   

In that same inning Whittier added three more runs to get within one thanks to three straight singles from Courtney Grana, Flores, and Mendoza, while Brenda Thompson singled to right and Shimamoto reached base on a fielder's choice.  With a shortstop error, Thompson was able to score making the score 9-8 going into the fourth.

The Purple & Gold was then held scoreless over the next three innings, while La Verne continued to add insurance runs in the 5^th and 6^th innings extending their lead to 14-8.  With darkness falling the umpires were forced to call the game after six not allowing Whittier to get their final at bats in a final attempt to tie the game and force extra innings.

Courtney DeLano received her first loss of the season moving her record to 2-1 going 6.0 innings giving up 14 runs on 13 hits. 

Whittier returns to the diamond next Sunday, February 19 at 12pm and 2pm as they host the University of Redlands who were SCIAC Co-Champions last year.