LOS ANGELES, Calif. (March 27, 2010) – Fresh
off of back-to-back conference victories, the Tigers tried to keep
their winning streak alive, but were unable to pull it off. The
Black and Orange dropped two Southern California Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference games against the University of La Verne at
home. In game one, of the double header, Oxy fell to the Leopards
9-2. In the second game, they lost 8-0, in five innings.
The Tigers kept things close in game one.
After the Leopards drew first blood with a run in the third, Oxy
answered right back. Third baseman, Nicole
Hannasch, reached first via a walk, bringing the catcher,
Alyssa Escalante up to bat. The power hitter
doubled to right field; sending Hannasch into
score and tying up the game. Another double by short stop,
Gabriela Chavez, sent Escalante
into score and put the Tigers up 2-1, at the end of the third.
Things remained scoreless until the top of the
sixth, when the Leopards blew the game wide open; scoring seven
runs in a single inning and boosting their lead, 8-2.
A quick three and out by the Tigers, ended the
sixth and brought the game into the final stretch. La Verne managed
to tack on one more in the seventh, increasing their lead by seven.
The Black and Orange threatened in their final attempt, but were
unable to put up anymore runs; knotting the loss 9-2.
Delaney Baylor earned the win for the Leos and
Shanna Yackel was tagged with the loss.
Escalante led the way for the Tigers with two
hits, a run and an RBI.
In game two, the momentum only intensified for
the Leopards. They came out swinging in the first and second,
tacking on a quick two runs to start the game. Oxy was unable to
answer; only managing a single hit by Escalante in
the bottom of the fourth, which got the runner in scoring position,
but never across home plate.
Oxy's fate was sealed in the top of the
fifth, after an offensive attack by La Verne. The Leopards had 10
at bats, seven hits and six runs in the inning; putting their lead
at 8-0. The Tigers had one more shot in the bottom of the fifth,
but were unable to get anything going. The mercy rule was applied,
shutting the Tigers out 8-0.
Brittany Flores pitched a complete game for La
Verne; while Brittany Vacura, who pitched for Oxy,
was credited with the loss.
Up next, the Tigers (now 6-14 overall and 3-9
in SCIAC play) hope to turn things around as they host a double
header at Bell Field against Whittier College on Friday, April
2nd, starting at noon.
Article by: Savannah
Russell, Sports Information Intern
