An early season showdown between two of the top teams in the SCIAC produced a split with both the University of La Verne earning wins in completely different fashion Saturday at Wheeler Park.
After CMS coasted to a 15-5 mercy-rule triumph in the opener, La Verne rallied to top the Athenas in eight innings in a 5-4 verdict.
Freshman Danielle Vela delivered a walk-off in the bottom of the eighth to score Carly Asher from third base for the game two victory.
The Leopards (6-1, 3-1 SCIAC) had trailed 1-0 before plating a pair of runs in both the third and fourth innings for a 4-1 lead. Dee Dee Burns highlighted the third with an inside-the-park homer. A Tara Allis RBI single along with an Athena fielding error in the fourth inning helped lift the Leos to a three-run advantage.
CMS (6-2, 3-1 SCIAC) knotted the contest in the top of the fifth on a two-run double from Amanda Banducci and a bases loaded walk to Rebecca King. La Verne would hold the Athenas scoreless in the next three frames to set up Vela's game-winning hit.
Laura Olson went the distance for the Leos, allowing four runs while striking out seven batters in eight innings of work.
The outcome was much different in the opener as the Athenas used a five-run fourth and a seven-run sixth inning on their way to a 10-run decision.
Leading 3-2, CMS tallied five runs on seven hits in the fourth to grab an 8-2 cushion. La Verne edged closer on a two-run double from Tara Allis to cut the deficit to 8-4.
CMS pulled away in the sixth when it pushed across seven runs, including a three-run double from Emily Lopez. Lopez led the Athenas, who totaled 18 hits in the game, with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate with 5 RBI. Harmony Palmer also went 3-for-4 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI.
For the Leopards, Raven Freret went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles.
La Verne continues action Sunday with a conference doubleheader against Occidental at Wheeler Park in a 12 pm start.
