Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern

LA VERNE, CA – The Leopards lost their first game in the 2023 SCIAC postseason tournament, an 8-4 upset by the California Lutheran University Kingsmen, that puts the Leopards' season on the line.

Nathan Perry homered in the bottom of the eighth inning, a solo shot that was the hardest ball hit by a Leopard all game. Cameron Slessor had three hits, including a clutch two-out, two-RBI single into center field that gave La Verne a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning.

Slessor's three hits led the team, while Perry and Chase Siffert each had two. Malachi Francois' one hit contributed to a run, a single in the fourth inning that started the game's scoring.

California Lutheran brought the bats in the tournament opener, tallying eight runs on 15 hits. The Kingsmen chased Ethan Galindo' with two outs in the fifth. The bullpen subsequently allowed six runs, and La Verne was unable to make up the difference. The Kingsmen advance into Friday's play with an afternoon road game against the Chapman Panthers.

The Leopards will play in a must-win situation against the second-seed Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Ben Hines Field.

(photo by Jospeh Ceniceros)