Battle for top spot goes to La Verne

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps softball team went toe-to-toe with the University of La Verne in the first game of the doubleheader but then took the 12-2 loss in the nightcap. CMS (16-14, 14-6) and ULV (23-7, 16-4) took game one through eight scoreless innings before the Leos were able to scratch the game-winner in the top of the ninth. With the two losses on the day, the Athenas now sit squarely in second place in SCIAC standings.

The solid pitching by junior Anna Gurr (CMC) and Elisa Ponce and the stellar play by the defenses behind them made it possible for the game to go into extras. Gurr leads the SCIAC in most pitching categories and Ponce now owns nine of the Leos' wins on the season.

Sophomore Abigail Metsch (SC) went to her left for a nice play up the middle to end the second inning and then junior Carly Roleder (CMC) stole the show in the third. She dove down the third base line and still had time to throw out the batter for the first out and then made a reflexive catch on a line drive from the subsequent hitter.

In the game, Gurr got the best of ULV's top hitter Alexis Schiff as she was 0-for-4 and was unable to get the ball out of the infield. Instead, the Leopards looked to Sienna Kendricks. Kendricks earned the Leos' first hit of the game in the top of the fifth and ultimately drove in the winning run in the ninth.

The Athenas continually put runners on base during the game but the timely hit just escaped CMS today. With 10 runners left on base in the game, there was no lack of scoring opportunities. Juniors Roleder and Briana Halle (CMC) each earned two hits in the game.

With the game still deadlocked after regulation, CMS and ULV continued the battle all the way to the ninth inning. Carly Condon got on with a one-out single and then a rare defensive miscue by the Athenas allowed her to advance to second. Kendricks stepped up in the moment and delivered the clutch hit for the Leos to bring Condon around.

CMS would not muster a rally in the bottom of the frame for the 1-0 loss in nine innings.

Game 1 Box Score

The Leopards got off to a hot start in the second game with six runs in the first inning. CMS also loaded the bases in the bottom half as ULV's pitcher struggled to find the strike zone, but still could not put one up on the board.

La Verne added one more in the third and then another five in the top of the fifth.

The CMS offense came alive in the fifth inning, trying to crawl out from the 12-run deficit. Sophomore Chloe Amarilla (CMC) legged out an infield single and then Roleder pounded a double to left. After a walk for Halle, the bases were loaded up for freshman Alison Jue (SC). The La Verne infield made the easy out to first on the next play, and allowed Amarilla to score. Roleder added to the total as she scored on a passed ball during the next at bat.

Lacking the fire power that had fueled the past eight wins, CMS took the sweep on the day. The Athenas now sit in second place in the SCIAC standings at 14-6. Next up is a double header against cross-street rivals, Pomona-Pitzer (10-24, 6-16) on April 21 at 2 and 4 p.m. at Athena Field.

Game 2 Box Score

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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