A solid pitching performance by La Verne newcomer Sean Beckman and two relievers would result in a 3-1 victory over Hardin-Simmons Sunday morning in Anthem, Arizona.  Sunday's contest concluded the Leopards' run in the Arizona Desert Classic where they posted three wins on the trip after rebounding from Saturday's 9-3 defeat to George Fox.

Beckman, a sophomore from Glendora, contributed to the Leopard victory by holding Hardin-Simmons scoreless and to just three hits in five innings of work.  Beckman's win was aided by Kevin Knight and Phil Schick who recorded his first save of the year after 2.2 innings of work.

A productive fifth inning would prove to be the deciding factor in the contest with Jason Moralez scoring Michael Reyes on a sacrifice fly to center field for a 1-0 lead.   Cody Hazel followed with a two-run double to plate Nick Bergara and Joshua Surdo for a 3-0 lead. 

La Verne would be pressured in the bottom of the seventh as Hardin-Simmons quickly loaded the bases but would hold the Cowboys to just one run. 

Schick held the Hardin-Simmons offense scoreless in the final two innings to pick up the save.  Surdo paced the Leopards with two hits and a run against the Cowboys.

The Leopards will open conference play against Redlands at Rio Hondo College on Friday at 2:30 pm.