Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern
La Verne, CA – The Leopards lost the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the University of Redlands 3-1, but took the series' rubber match in mercy-rule fashion, 16-1. La Verne had strong performances from both starting pitchers and restructured their offensive approach for game two's blowout victory.
Game One
Jerry Terry gutted out an eight-inning start, keeping La Verne's bullpen fresh despite suffering his season's second loss. He still ranks amongst the SCIAC leaders in wins, earned run average and strikeouts. Matt Diaz earned the start in center field and made several highlight reel plays, covering a lot of ground from gap to gap and making a diving catch in front of him. Logan Reese also had a web gem of his own, running a country mile into the right-center gap to make a diving catch on the warning track.
Six different Leos recorded hits. Diaz was responsible for one of two extra base hits, a double down the left field line. The other was a triple off the bat of Nate Perry, his first collegiate extra base hit.
Game Two
After being limited to just one run in the first leg of the doubleheader, the Leopards abused free passes from the Bulldogs and cashed in on big hits to win game two 16-1. The Leopards forced Redlands to use seven pitchers, who allowed nine combined walks and five hit-by-pitches. Four separate Leos had a two-RBI game: Aiden Salcedo, Anthony Salcedo, Noah Garcia and Luke Garcia. Reese led the offensive charge with four RBIs, highlighted by a bases-clearing double.
Ethan Galindo threw another spotless game after dominating Occidental last week, earning the win over six innings of one-run baseball. The left-hander struck out five allowing just four hits. Garrett Halbeisen made his first collegiate pitching appearance, finishing the ballgame with a clean seventh inning.
The Leopards surrendered their first conference loss Saturday but improved their overall record to 8-5, and 5-1 in SCIAC play. With a break from conference competition, La Verne will host the University of Rochester (NY) next weekend beginning Friday, Mar. 10 at 2 p.m.
