WHITTIER, Calif. – The University of La Verne baseball team outhit No. 5 Kean (N.J.) University, 14-11, but could not climb out of an early hole in an 8-6 loss in the final game of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon.
The Leopards had a chance to win all three games against one of the best teams in the country. In the first game on Friday, the teams were tied at 6-6 heading into the 9th and on Saturday, La Verne held a 6-4 lead going into the final inning. But late mistakes cost the Leopards as they fell short in each of the three games.
On Sunday, Kean scored two insurance runs in the 8th on a passed ball and an error, which turned out to be final difference in the game.
Kean used big second and third innings to get out to an early lead. The Cougars loaded the bases in the second inning and scored three runs on a walk, fielder's choice and a throwing error by the catcher on a stolen base attempt. Kean tacked on three more runs in the 3rd, all of which came after two outs.
La Verne scored five runs in the last five innings and had the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th, but couldn't quite complete the rally.
Joe Winterburn hit his first homerun of the season in the 6th and finished with three RBIs on two hits.
Nolan Henley was 3-for-6 with a run and an RBI. Ben White was 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
La Verne returns to conference action next week against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. The Leopards travel to Claremont on Friday for a single game and will host the Stags for a doubleheader on Saturday at Rio Hondo College.
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