Offense silenced as La Verne earns doubleheader sweep over Chapman

ORANGE, Calif. - On a frigid evening, the Chapman University softball team's bats were even colder as the Panthers dropped a pair of games to the University of La Verne on Friday at El Camino Real Park.

The Panthers' offense combined to score just four runs along with eight hits in the doubleheader as the Leopards won the first game 8-1 and game two 7-3. Of Chapman's five losses in 2010, four have come when they have scored three runs or less.

Game 1: University of La Verne 8, Chapman 1
Chapman (5-5) took a 1-0 lead when senior 2B Melanie Villarroel scored on a passed ball after reaching on a double to left field. The lead was short lived however as the Leopards answered with two runs in the top of the third inning on a two-run homer to center field by junior SS Ashley Paul.

La Verne (5-5) then broke the game open with a four run seventh inning as they put together consecutive singles followed by a two RBI triple from senior 2B Kailee Munden.

Game 2: University of La Verne 7, Chapman 3
Once again, La Verne used a big inning, this time a five-run sixth to take control of the game. The Leopards strung together six hits in the inning highlighted by senior OF Melissa Carlson's two-run double to take command.

A pair of fielding errors by La Verne in the bottom of the sixth inning allowed Chapman back in to the game as the Panthers scored two runs, narrowing the lead 7-3. Sophomore OF Jessica Mitchell came through with an RBI single to left field but the Panthers were unable to rally despite having the game-tying run at the plate in the inning.

Senior P Ally Waffle pitched an inning and a third of scoreless relief for the Panthers.

by Chris Watts
Sports Information Assistant

Boxscores:
Game 1: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/sball/2009-10/stats/ulv-cu1.htm

Game 2: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/sball/2009-10/stats/ulv-cu2.htm