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Rough Start In The Sunshine State
The opening day of the NFCA Leadoff Classic saw the University of La Verne drop its two contests, first falling 5-1 to Willamette University followed by a 12-4 defeat to fourth-ranked University of Texas-Tyler Friday in Panama City, Florida.
Against the Bearcats, the Leopards took a 1-0 lead into the seventh but surrendered five runs in the final frame. The big blow from Willamette came from Mica Romero who smacked a 3-run homer to complete the rally.
La Verne grabbed the lead in the bottom of the first inning when Melissa Carlson walked, stole second and came around to score on a Dee Dee Burns double.
The Leopard offense was contained the remainder of the contest as it was limited to three hits for the game.
Against Texas-Tyler, the Leopards jumped out to a 4-0 lead only to watch the Patriots reel off 12 unanswered runs to earn a mercy-rule triumph.
In the third, the Leopards got on the board when Kailee Munden hit a 2-run single scoring Carlson and Lissa Ishihara. Later in the inning, Burns connected on a 2-run homer to stake the Leos to a 4-0 advantage.
UT-Tyler answered with five runs in the bottom half highlighted by a 3-run home run from Joey Cronin. The Patriots added three in the fourth inning to take an 8-4 advantage.
In the fifth, UT-Tyler closed with a 4-run inning on two hits and an error to improve to 8-0 on the season. The Leopards fell to 6-8.
Carlson went 3-3 at the plate with a run scored. Burns was 1-2 with 2 RBI while Munden went 1-3 with 2 RBI.
The Leopards conclude action at the NFCA Leadoff Classic Saturday against sixth-ranked Cortland State at 10 am PST.
Boxscore: WU 5, LV 1
Boxscore: UTT 12, LV 4 (5 inn.)
