Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern
La Verne, CA – The Leos brought the bats and exploded for eight runs in the first two frames to comeback from Centenary's 3-run first inning in a victory over the Diamond Gents, 9-7.
Sean Holt started the Sunday afternoon matchup on the bump for La Verne and dealt five innings without allowing an earned run. He struck out four during his performance before handing the ball over to left-hander Benny Vogel, who shut Centenary down over two relief innings racking up three strikeouts. First baseman Tanner Siffert drove home La Verne's first run of the ballgame with a line drive single into center field, followed by three run-scoring singles off the bats of third baseman Cameron Slessor, left fielder Logan Reese and catcher Christian Killian. The Leopards batted around the order in the bottom of the first, pushing across five runs to take a 5-3 lead. In the second inning, La Verne put three more runs on the board and chased Centenary's starting pitcher back to the bench. Reese was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, designated hitter Malachi Francois recorded an RBI on a fielder's choice, and Killian picked up his game's second hit and RBI as well on a short liner into center. The Leopards scored once more in the bottom of the fourth when Killian reached on a dropped pop-up, and ran a 9-3 lead into the eighth.
Jerry Terry was trusted to close out the ballgame, taking over with one out in the top of the eighth and runners on base with the score at 9-6. He allowed a run charged to Nick Zolferino, but finished the rest of the inning unscathed and punched a batter out in the ninth en route to his season's second save.
The Leopards collect their fourth win of the early 2022 season in their first matchup against Centenary this week. The Diamond Gents return to Ben Hines Field at ULV on Wednesday, March 2 for La Verne's final exhibition tuneup before conference play.