LA VERNE, Calif. — Four Leopards recorded multiple hits and the University of La Verne baseball team hit well, tallying 11 as a team.
But the Leopards hit into four inning-ending double plays and left nine runners on base as they lost 5-4 to Pacific (Ore.) at Ben Hines Field on Friday afternoon.
With the loss, La Verne falls to 14-8 on the season. Pacific improves to 7-14.
The Leopards took a 3-1 lead in the third as they strung together four consecutive singles. Zach Quinones then drew a walk to load the bases but the Boxers turned a 4-6-3 double play to stem the momentum.
The bottom of the fifth played out similarly. Nolan Henley doubled, Jakob Thomas walked and after Mark Jebbia sacrificed them over, the Boxers intentionally walked Ben White to load the bases. Quinones followed with a sharply hit liner to the pitcher to give the Leopards a 4-2 lead and keep the bases loaded with one out. However, Matt Caselli promptly hit a laser towards the third baseman who stepped on the bag at third and threw across the diamond to end the rally.
Pacific rode the defensive lift to tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the sixth on run-driving hits by Walker Olis and Josh Keithly.
Nathan Suyematsu hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh to supply the game-winning run for Pacific.
La Verne had one last shot to extend the game in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs, Henley and Thomas grinded out bases on balls to set up Jebbia, but Pacific reliever Tyler Kotchik got the senior swinging to end the game.
Kotchick pitched two scoreless innings to preserve the win for starter Kyle Treadway, who went seven innings while giving up four runs.
Henley, Thomas, White and Quinones each had two hits for La Verne.
The Leopards and the Boxers are back at it tomorrow at Ben Hines Field. First game of a doubleheader starts at 11 a.m.