CLAREMONT, Calif. — Katherine Kibbe pitched a gem, Mackenzie Dutton hit a dagger home run and the University of La Verne softball team beat No. 15 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 2-0, in the second game of a doubleheader at Athena Field on Saturday afternoon. The Leopards lost the first game, 8-1.

With the split, La Verne movies to 13-15 overall and 8-8 in SCIAC play. The Athenas are now 16-6 and 10-4.

Kibbe (7-5) threw a complete-game shutout, striking out four and scattering five hits in seven innings. She consistently flashed the ability to get out of tough situations. Kibbe stranded a total nine Claremont-Mudd-Scripps runners and induced three inning-ending groundouts with runners on base.

Kibbe did her part on offense, too. She led off the top of the second with a single, stole second and came around to score what turned out to be the game winner on a double by Amanda Chavez. Kibbe finished 2-for-3 at the plate.

In the top of the seventh, Dutton launched the sixth homer of the season over the center field fence to give the Leopards an insurance run.

The Athenas mustered one final chance in the bottom of the seventh as they got two runners on with a walk and a bunt hit, but Kibbe got Brooklyn Robinson swinging to end the game.

Chavez finished with two hits.

Game 1: No. 15 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 8, La Verne 1

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps tallied 12 hits and scored in every inning but one to run away from the Leopards, 8-1, in the first game.

La Verne collected four of their six total hits in the second inning. The Leopards loaded the bases on three straight singles to lead off the inning, but popped up and lined out in the next two at bats. Raeleen Tellez came through with a single but the Leopards were only able to manage one run.

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps starter Anna Gurr (7-2) was solid in the circle, giving up the lone run and striking out four in six innings.

The Leopards committed six fielding errors which led to four unearned runs.

La Verne will get a week off and return to action on April 10 at Campus West when it hosts Occidental for a doubleheader.