A pair of three-run homers from Mike Surina powered the University of La Verne baseball team to a 9-2 triumph over Whitman College Friday in the Leopards' second game at the Arizona Desert Classic in Anthem, Arizona.

The win helped ease the sting of an 11-10 defeat to Linfield on Thursday, as the Wildcats plated nine runs in the bottom of the ninth to overcome a 10-2 deficit.

Linfield led 2-1 before the Leopards added three in the second and five in the fourth to take a 9-2 lead.  The Leopards added another run in the top of the ninth to lead by 8 runs. The Wildcats plated nine runs on seven hits, culminating in a RBI single from pinch-hitter Kevin Coleman.

The loss overshadowed a strong offensive performance by the Leopards, who received three hits from Jason Munoz while Surina, Jon-Michael Hattabaugh and Donovan Petta each collected two hits.  Hattabaugh blasted the Leos' first home run of the season, a solo shot in the top of the first

Against Whitman, the Leopards got four runs in the bottom of the third, thanks in part to Surina, who blasted a three-run homer to take a 4-1 lead.  Victor Peinado also smacked an RBI single in the inning.

La Verne added to its total in the seventh with two runs on two hits and an error.  Surina scored on a Whitman error and Jason Moralez scored on a fielder's choice to take a 6-1 lead.

After the Missionaries pushed across a run to close the deficit at 6-2, the Leopards struck again in the eighth as a Peinado double and an Aaron Coopman single set the stage for Surina, who belted his second three-run homer to give the Leos a 9-2 cushion.

Surina was 2-for-3 with 6 RBI and 3 runs scored.  Peinado went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.  Matt Baudino pitched six solid innings allowing 5 hits while striking out 7 batters to earn his first win as a Leopard.

La Verne (1-2) continues action at the Arizona Desert Classic as it takes on George Fox Saturday afternoon.