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LOS ANGELES — The Occidental softball team gave first-place La Verne a pair of competitive games before falling in a road doubleheader on Friday.

Game 1: La Verne 3, Occidental 2 

The Tigers rallied for two runs in the top of the fifth on a double by Alexis Funaki that brought in Cora Roberts and Mackensie Priley, but didn't manage to bring across any others in a narrow defeat. 

Funaki was also excellent on the mound, pitching all seven innings without an earned run. 

Jiana Rojo was very good as La Verne's starter, pitching a complete game in the victory with no earned runs. 

Roberts went 1 for 2, Priley was 1 for 4 and Cassie Carter were 1 for 4, and Bailey Stevens, Natalie Glover and Kira Elliott each went 1 for 3 for Oxy. 

Game 2: La Verne 5, Occidental 3

Madison Romero hit a three-run homer in the second inning, but the Leopards countered with four runs in the next two innings to egde the Tigers.

Bailey Stevens and Mackensie Priley each had good games at the plate, going 2 for 3. 

Elisa Ponce pitched a complete game for La Verne, earning the victory.

Dallas Boyce pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief for Oxy.

Season Impact: Oxy falls to 11-20-1 overall and 6-16 in SCIAC play.

La Verne improves to 22-12 and 17-5.

Next Game: Oxy is back in action for senior day with a doubleheader against Chapman at Bell Field on Saturday.