The University of La Verne baseball team split Saturday afternoon's road doubleheader against the University of Redlands, suffering a 10-9 extra-inning defeat in the first contest before edging out the Bulldogs 9-8 in the second.
Game one of the twinbill would see La Verne nearly repeat Friday night's come-from-behind effort as the Leopards posted a four-run ninth inning to tie the game before falling 10-9 in 10 innings.
The Leopards would jump out first and take a 1-0 lead in the top of the second after a single by Jason Moralez scored George Hanna. La Verne would capitalize on four Bulldog walks to build a 3-0 lead in the top of the third. Nick Bergara would double to right field scoring Josh Surdo. Plate discipline would pay off for La Verne as George Hanna and Tim Ralston would both walk to load the bases. Moralez would also then reach on a walk bringing in Bergara to go up 3-0.
Redlands would begin closing the gap in the bottom half of the third and fourth innings posting a run in each to come within one. However, La Verne would answer back as Bergara led off the inning with a single to left field. Cody Hazel would then provide the sacrifice bunt moving Bergara into scoring position. Tim Ralston would single, draw the throw and advance to second, allowing Bergara to score on the throwing error by the second baseman putting La Verne up 4-2.
Redlands would strike in the fifth inning as Nathaniel Acosta cleared the bases with a grandslam putting the Bulldogs up 6-4. Redlands would then tack on a pair of runs in the sixth inning increasing their lead to 8-4.
Timely hits and station-to-station offense would result in a four run ninth inning for La Verne forcing the extra frame and giving the Leopards an opportunity for another comeback victory. Despite the late inning effort, Redlands would achieve the walk-off win after Jordan Dresner crossed the plate on a Nathan Bowker bunt.
Brett Early started the game for La Verne going four innings giving up six hits and four earned runs. Phil Schick worked 1.2 innings in relief and suffered the loss.
Bergara and Ralston each had an RBI and were both 3 for 4 at the plate. Hanna was 2 for 3 with 4 RBI and a pair of walks.
Game two of the twin-bill would prove to be just as dramatic as the opener with the Leopards gaining the victory.
The first five frames would remain scoreless for the Leopards until a three-run sixth inning highlighted by an RBI single from Tim Ralston and a two run homer from Michael Stewart would bring La Verne within two at 5-3. Despite Redlands answering with four runs in the bottom half of the next two innings, the La Verne offense would remain aggressive bringing across six runners in the top of the eighth inning to take a 9-6 lead.
The six-run eighth would see the Leopards bat around the lineup starting with a Bergara triple. Bergara would also provide a two RBI single later in his second at bat of the inning. Stewart would tally another pair of RBIs with a single to right field that scored Dylan Leong and Jason Moralez.
Redlands would pressure in the bottom of ninth inning scoring two runs with a pair of singles but would leave three runners stranded as Phil Schick entered the game to earn the save.
Leopard starter Sean Beckman went 5.1 innings giving up 7 hits and four earned runs. Kevin Knight earned the win with his single inning of work. Phil Schick earned the save.
La Verne improves to 5-2 and 2-1 in SCIAC play. The Leopards go on the road to take on Chapman February 22 at 3:00 pm at Hart Park in Orange and will return for the home doubleheader against the Panthers on February 23 at Mt. SAC beginning at 11:00 am.
