LA VERNE, Calif. — Facing elimination against Whittier College, the University of La Verne softball team jumped ahead early and held on for a 3-2 win over the Poets.

The Leopards advance to today's afternoon game and will face the loser of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer. First pitch will be at approximately 4 p.m.

In the first with Carly Condon on first with two outs, Justice Borden came up big with a double to bring in Condon and give La Verne the 1-0 lead. Katheryn Navarro stepped up to the plate next and hit her team-leading 11th home run of the season to extend the lead to 3-0.

That was all the offense the Leopards needed to secure the win.

The Poets made a push in the top of the sixth. After pinch-hitter Megan Heal hit a two-run home run to cut the deficit to one, it looked like the Poets tied the game with a sacrifice fly by Brittany Attaway. But Hannah Angileri was called out for leaving third base early.

Elisa Ponce earned the complete game win, striking out three. Amanda Melodia took the loss for the Poets.

Rachel Ogata added two hits for the Leopards.