LA VERNE, CA — Alyssa Campbell hit a clutch double and the University of La Verne softball team earned an exciting 6-5 win over Whittier College on Senior Day.

The Leopards improve to 13-22 overall and 7-12 in the SCIAC. They wrap up their 2024 campaign on Saturday at Whittier.

Campbell highlighted the game in the third inning to give the Leopards a 4-1 lead. With bases loaded, the junior blasted a shot to right field that drove in Cassandra Zapata, Taylor Gray, and Mia Pintado.  

Pintado and Gray extended the lead to 5-1 in the next inning. Pintado hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Marissa Acosta and Gray followed with a double down the left field line to plate Sydney Diaz.

The Poets battled back and tied the game 5-5 in the sixth but the Leopards regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning. La Verne relied on a single from Zapata and a little bit of chaos to get back on top. With runners on first and second, Zapata started the action with a hard hit to third. An errant throw by the Whittier third baseman allowed the runners to advance an extra base. Pintado scored for what proved to be the difference-making run.

Jaidyn Alvarez picked up the win in her relief effort. Jada Coria stepped in for the final inning and earned her first save of the season. Kirstin Sanchez went five and a third in her start. 

Senior Day

The Leopards celebrated seniors Marissa Acosta, Taylor Gray, Mia Pintado, and Jaylene Jaloma in pre and post-game ceremonies.