LA VERNE, CA — Melissa Garcia hit a two-run home in the sixth to give the Leopards an 8-7 lead and the University of La Verne softball overcame a 6-0 deficit to defeat the Whittier College Poets in game two of their doubleheader on Saturday.

Game Two: La Verne 8, Whittier 7

Trailing by one with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Gabriella Underwood hit a double to center to put the tying run in scoring position. 

Garcia Stepped up next and left the yard, hitting a shot just inside the left field foul pole to put the Leopards up one. Garcia finished the day 3-4 at the plate.

Postgame with Garcia

POSTGAME: Melissa Garcia talks about her two-run blast and softball's comeback win over Whittier #d3sb pic.twitter.com/r3zDkWMH2m

— La Verne Leopards (@ULVAthletics) March 17, 2019

The Poets gave La Verne a scare in the final inning. With Brittany Attaway on second, Yolanda Oregel hit a hard ground ball up the middle that would've sent the runner home. But second baseman, Ashley Soto made a nice diving play to keep Attaway at third.

Jiana Rojo struck out the final two batters to end the game.

Katheryn Navarro had a stellar day at the plate finishing with three RBI. The junior hit a double in the second that scored Rachel Ogata and tied the game 6-6 in the third when she tripled in Ogata and Soto.

Gabriella Underwood added three hits and an RBI. Ogata sent two runs to the plate in the second with a double to right center.

Jiana Rojo earned the complete game win, striking out five.

Hayley Wisher led the Poets with five RBI.

Game One: Whittier 13, La Verne 5

La Verne jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the second but couldn't slow the Poets' bat in Saturday's opener.

Underwood gave the Leopards a 3-0 lead in the first when she homered in her opening at bat. Navarro and Bailey Grani each registered an RBI.

Attaway led Whittier with four RBI.

Season Impact

The Leopards move to 8-8 overall and 4-4 in conference play. The Poets now stand at 7-7 overall and 3-3 in the SCIAC.

Next Game

The Leopards are back in action tomorrow when they travel to Eagle Rock to face Occidental in a doubleheader beginning at noon.