LA VERNE, Calif. – In a game where every hit felt like a breakthrough, Cal Lutheran softball came up just short on Friday afternoon, falling 2-1 to La Verne on a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh.

The Regals (12-17, 4-9 SCIAC) were locked in a defensive battle all day, managing just three hits in a contest that saw only seven combined between the two teams. Despite the tough result, Kalli Strahm delivered one of her strongest outings of the season in the circle, keeping CLU within striking distance from start to finish.

The Leopards struck first in the opening inning, using a leadoff single, stolen base, and groundout to plate a run and take an early 1-0 lead. From there, Strahm settled in, inducing weak contact and consistently working out of trouble. She finished with 6.2 innings pitched, allowing just four hits and one earned run while striking out two.

Offense was hard to come by for both sides, as La Verne's Briana Vasquez matched Strahm pitch-for-pitch. The Regals broke through in the sixth inning, sparked by Mia Reveles, who reached base for the second time in the game. Reyna Perez followed with a clutch double to right center, driving in Reveles to even the score at 1-1.

Reveles led the way offensively for CLU, finishing 2-for-3, while Perez recorded the team's lone RBI.

With momentum briefly on their side, the Regals looked poised to carry the tie into extra innings, but La Verne capitalized in the bottom of the seventh. After reaching on an error and advancing into scoring position, the Leopards delivered a two-out single up the middle to bring home the winning run and walk it off.

The loss overshadowed a gritty performance from Strahm and a defense that kept the game within reach throughout, but the Regals will have little time to dwell.

Cal Lutheran returns home tomorrow, April 11, for a doubleheader against the Leopards, with first pitch set for 12 p.m.