Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern

La Verne, CA – Chasing a 5-0 deficit in the bottom of the ninth on opening day, the Leopards scored three runs against the Whitworth University Pirates but surrendered the 5-3 loss on Sunday.

Transfer student Jack Janes (Fullerton College) shined in his ULV debut, singling a run home on a line-drive base hit to center field as a pinch-hitter in the ninth. Janes later scored on first-year shortstop Ryan Vosika's fielder's choice.

Vosika, a first-year utility infielder, handled the position well in the season opener. He singled with two outs in the fifth before manufacturing a run in the ninth.

In the top of the fifth, catcher Manny Muñoz attempted the second half of a strike-him-out, throw-him-out double play with a missile that long-hopped the base. Vosika dug the ball out and applied the tag, ending the inning.

Pitcher Jerry Terry threw five innings of one-run baseball, allowing three hits and striking out seven before the Leopards turned to the bullpen.

After two runners came around to score in the sixth, right fielder Logan Reese stopped the bleeding with an outfield assist to third base to end the inning. Reese also singled three times, highlighted by the first La Verne hit of the year with a single to center.

The Leopards have 39 games remaining on the schedule despite dropping the first contest. They have three slated for next weekend against Linfield University, starting with a Thursday afternoon matchup at 2 p.m.