LA VERNE, Calif. — Justice Borden hit the go-ahead home run in game two and the University of La Verne softball team swept the Whittier College Poets on Senior Day to claim at least a share of the SCIAC title. 

Season Impact: With the wins, the Leopards will claim at least a piece of the SCIAC Championships for the third straight season. La Verne can win the title outright and earn home-field advantage in the SCIAC Tournament with one win tomorrow against Redlands. The Leopards' record improves to 24-14 overall and 19-7.

Whittier moves into a tie for third place in the SCIAC with a 23-14-1 overall record and 16-10 in conference play.

Game One: La Verne 4, Whittier 3

The Leopards benefitted from a big error by the Poets in the second to score two runs and they took the lead for good in the sixth for the opening win.

La Verne evened the game 2-2 in the second inning after Whittier's shortstop misplayed a hard hit ground ball by Melissa Garcia. The error sent Sienna Kendricks and Borden across the plate.

The Leopards took their first lead of the game their next time up off back-to-back doubles by Shelby Tevis and Carly Condon put the score at 3-1. But the lead didn't last long. Kacey Whitney evened the game in the top of the fourth with an RBI double to center.

Borden came through big for La Verne in the sixth. With one out, the third baseman tripled to center field with a shot off the bottom of the wall. Kendricks stepped up next hitting a sacrifice to right field to put the Leopards up for good.

Jiana Rojo picked up her ninth win of the year, striking out five in the complete-game effort.

Game Two: La Verne 2, Whittier 1

Borden played the hero in game two. The sophomore hit her first long ball of the season in the sixth to put her squad up one. 

Senior Elisa Ponce was solid in the circle, earning a complete game win with three strikeouts and just one walk.

The Leopards got on the board in the second when Kendricks doubled in Borden to tie the game 1-1. Kendricks finished the game with two doubles.

Carly Condon was solid at the plate, finishing the game 2-2.

Amanda Melodia took the loss for the Poets.

Senior Day: The Leopards celebrated seniors Ashley Caro, Haley Gomez, Angelica DeAngelo, and Elisa Ponce in a brief pregame ceremony.

Next Series: La Verne closes out the regular season on the road tomorrow against the Redlands Bulldogs in a doubleheader beginning at noon.