LA VERNE, Calif. — Christopher Peres went 3-for-4 and the Leopards out-hit Chapman, 12-10.
But the Panthers used the long ball to beat the University of La Verne baseball team, 8-5, on Friday afternoon at Ben Hines field.
La Verne falls to 16-17 overall and 9-13 in the SCIAC. Chapman improves to 21-13 and 15-7. The only way for the Leopards to qualify for the SCIAC Postseason Tournament now is to win all of the the remaining six games. Even then, the Leopards will need help from others.
Konnor Zickefoose hit two homers -- a two-run shot and a solo homer -- and Greg Dillon hit a solo shot to lift the Panthers.
The Leopards' offense came alive in the middle innings but could not sustain its momentum. The bottom of the fourth had the makings of a big inning. Peres led off with a single, advanced to second on a ground and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch to get the Leopards on the board. La Verne then loaded the bases with two outs and added a run on an RBI walk by Andrew Vrtar, but had to settle for only two as the inning ended in a double play.
La Verne tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by Peres and a two-run double by Jakob Thomas.
But Dillon broke the tie in the top of the seventh with his homer and Mason Collins held the Leopards scoreless in the final four innings to seal the win for Chapman.
The Leopards travel to Chapman for a doubleheader tomorrow. First game starts at 11 a.m.
