LA VERNE, Calif. — The Leopard took the lead in the fifth inning and never looked back beating the Principia College Panthers 7-2 Sunday afternoon.
Season Impact: The Leopards improve to 12-8 overall and Principia falls to 8-4.
Gabe Lopez led the Leopards at the plate with a pair of hits and RBI to go with a run scored. He brought in the go ahead runs in the fifth, doubling to left center, bringing in Rudy Casarez III and Christopher Ligot.
Catcher Adam Santa Cruz had a good day at the plate finishing with two hits, an RBI and a run scored. He extended La Verne's lead in the fifth singling through the left side to score Gabe Lopez.
Nick Byrd picked up his first win on the hill pitching three innings of relief, allowing just two hits with two strikeouts and no runs.
Hayden Firth earned his first save of the season, pitching two and a third innings with one strikeout.
Mauricio Guadarrama, Ryan Aguilar, Christopher Ligot, and Jacob Benson each finished with an RBI
Lukas Granado made the defensive play of the game in the first inning. With one out and runners on second and third, Granado leaped to snatch a hard hit line drive then dove back to the base to complete the double play.
Season Impact: La Verne continues nonconference action on Friday, March 23 against the Williams Ephs.
