Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern

La Verne, CA – A back-and-forth slugfest at Ben Hines Field finished in favor of the visiting Middlebury College Panthers (VT) on Monday afternoon, 21-14.

The Leopards led by multiple runs three separate times but could not hang on down the game's stretch. Their 14 runs came on 16 hits, but bullpen struggles and defensive miscues led to costly Middlebury runs.

Catcher Nate Perry hit his first collegiate home run, a two-run shot over the left field wall in the third inning. He doubled then singled home another runner late in the ballgame and finished with three RBIs, as did first baseman Noah Garcia and shortstop Ryan Vosika.

Garcia led the team with four hits, including a double and adding a stolen base to his stat line. Center fielder Benny Vogel broke a small skid at the plate, collecting three hits alongside Perry.

Six baseballs flew out of Ben Hines Field on Monday, five off the Panthers' bats. Middlebury handed La Verne their tenth loss of the season, falling to 11-10 with four games left to play this week. The Leos will take the field at home again Thursday afternoon when they host Tufts University.

(photo by Edith Ocana)