The University of Redlands softball team headed to the University of La Verne for a Friday afternoon Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) game. After a tight, back-and-forth battle, the team, unfortunately, dropped the contest, 3-4, in extra innings.

La Verne struck first in the bottom of the first, but Redlands answered back in the top of the third. With one out and sophomore pinch-runner Hayley DiMase (Eastvale, CA) on second, sophomore shortstop Natalie Horton (Palmdale, CA) traded places with her after knocking a double to left field, allowing DiMase to round third and tie the game, 1-1.

The Bulldogs capitalized again in the fifth, plating two runs to jump in front 3-1. With two outs and two runners on, sophomore first baseman Tyesen Gordon (Lathrop, CA) doubled to right-center, sending junior left fielder Tsianina Flores (Corona, CA) and first-year designated player Alexis Campos (Lake Forest, CA) to come home.

La Verne answered back, however, with a two-run homer to tie the game at 3-3.

The Bulldogs tried to put together a two-out rally in the top of the eighth as first-year second baseman Kalyn Kershner (Ewa Beach, HI) hit a ground-rule double and was joined on base by first-year catcher Megan Watkins (Beaumont, CA), who took a rogue pitch to the body. The Leopards got the next out, however, to prevent Redlands from getting ahead.

La Verne secured the 4-3 win in the bottom half of the inning, scoring with two outs.

Redlands had a strong showing at the plate, finishing with eight hits. Gordon went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Horton, junior right fielder Abigail Bates (Moreno Valley, CA), Kershner, Watkins, senior designated player Jaci Sanchez (Lakewood, CA) and first-year third baseman Madison Alves (Kingsburg, CA) all had hits in the game.

The Bulldogs (7-3, 3-1 SCIAC) look to bounce back on Saturday, February 29, this time with the Leopards coming to Redlands' home turf. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for noon at the Field of Dreams.