Highlighted by a five-run eighth inning, the University of La Verne defeated the University of Redlands 9-8 in the opener of its SCIAC series with the Bulldogs Friday afternoon in Redlands.
Trailing 6-3 through seventh innings, the Leopards erupted for five runs in the top of the eighth on three hits and a Bulldog error.
With a runner on first, Michael Stewart's single and Hazel's hit-by-a-pitch would load the bases. Ross Hebert singled through the right side to score the first two runs to close the gap to 6-5. Zach Canfield followed with a single to again load the bases. George Hanna walked to tie the game at 6-6. The final two runs came from a Bulldog error off of Jake Ludvik's at bat, as both Hebert and Canfield came in to score for an 8-6 La Verne lead.
La Verne was able to hold off the Bulldogs in the bottom of the eighth inning, but Redlands got to within a run on a Cameron Lowe single to score Trenton Lively. With two down and the tying run at third, Leopard pitcher Anthony Cerafice struck out the final batter to end the rally to give La Verne the 9-8 victory.
Redlands got on the board first scoring two runs in the first inning. The Leopards responded back scoring one run in the second off a ground out by Stewart and the tying run in the top of the third when Jason Moralez hit an RBI single up the middle.
The Bulldogs jumped ahead again with a three-run inning in the bottom of the third off a two RBI double by Jason Henning and a single to center field by Landon McMath. La Verne would score their third run in the sixth, which started with a lead off double by Bryce Roenicke. Albert Ramos' single up the middle would advance Roenicke to third base. Cody Hazel would earn the RBI with his sacrifice fly to left field.
Scoring another run in the seventh would give the Bulldogs a 6-3 advantage as they headed into the eighth inning, leading up to the Leopards' five-run uprising.
Hebert went 2-for-4 at the plate, with two RBIs, and one run scored. Roenicke also went 2-for-4, and had three runs scored. The win went to Cerafice who came in to pitch the ninth where he faced four batters, striking out two.
The Leopards improve to 10-4 overall and 6-1 in SCIAC. Redlands falls to 5-7 overall and 2-5 in conference action.
The Leos conclude their series with the Bulldogs tomorrow where they will host the doubleheader at Mt. Sac. The first game will begin at 11:00 am.
