by Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern

La Verne, CA – In a much-anticipated series between the SCIAC's two biggest cats, the Chapman Panthers rode the curtails of La Verne's miscues en route to a 14-9 game one win.

Both teams combined for seven errors in a game that initially belonged to the Leopards. Chapman started the scoring with a four-run third inning, but La Verne scored three runs in the fourth and sixth innings to take a 6-4 lead. Three additional runs in the ninth were not enough to overcome the ten runs Chapman had added on in the earlier innings.

The Leopards matched the Panthers with 13 hits apiece, led by designated-hitter Malachi Francois' hot bat which had three. Starting center fielder Cameron Slessor impacted the game heavily offensively with two singles, an RBI, and heads-up baserunning that included a stolen base and successful ball-in-dirt reads. Shortstop Ryan Vosika drove home a pair of runs, one of which scored on a sneaky squeeze-bunt play in the sixth inning.

Starting pitcher Ethan Galindo and reliever Ryan McClernon bit bullets as their defense surrendered seven unearned runs. The duo combined for seven innings, with the Leopards needing four more pitchers for the final two innings. Reliever Vicente Molina closed the eighth inning with a strikeout, and Tyler Lokar pitched a clean ninth.

The Leopards travel to Hart Park tomorrow for the final two games of the series (beginning at 11 a.m.) looking to maintain first place in the SCIAC. La Verne's overall record sits at 21-11, with a 14-2 record in conference play.

(photo by Joseph Ceniceros)