The University of La Verne earned a doubleheader split with Pomona-Pitzer, taking the first game 15-4 before suffering a 10-4 defeat in the nightcap in SCIAC action Saturday afternoon in Claremont.
After topping the Sagehens 9-8 in extra innings on Friday night, La Verne enjoyed a win in Saturday's first game, highlighted by a three-run homer in the sixth inning by Cody Hazel.
Pomona-Pitzer struck first scoring three runs in the first inning off of four hits and a Leopard error. The Leopards were able to score two runs in the top of the third when Mason Stoltenbery hit a two-run double to right center.
The Sagehens were able to get one more run in the third inning, but that would be the last time they would score. La Verne's offense exploded starting with a three run fifth inning. The inning featured doubles from Jacob Ludvik, George Hanna, and Hazel along with a single from Bryce Roenicke.
The Leos went on to score five runs in the sixth inning, which included Hazel's homer and doubles by Hanna and Roenicke. Up 11-4 heading into the final inning, La Verne capped off their win with four more runs off five hits to take the victory.
Hazel went 2-for-5 at the plate with 4 RBI, 2 runs scored and a double along with the homer. Ross Hebert was 2-for-2 while also driving in four runs. The win went to starting pitcher Kevin Knight who pitched 6.0 innings. Guy Stevens recorded the loss.
In the second game of the twinbill, it was the Leopards that struck first with two runs in the second inning. Michael Stewart and Hebert both singled to put runners on first and second. Zach Canfield singled to right field to score the two runs.
La Verne scored again in the third, when Hazel singled through the right side to score Hanna. Pomona-Pitzer got on the board in the bottom of the inning scoring three runs to knot the game at three.
The Leopards were able to get another run in the top of the fifth from Hanna's sacrifice fly to centerfield to take a 4-3 lead. The Sagehens were able to score two in the bottom of the inning. They held the Leos scoreless for the remainder of the game as they went on to score three runs in the sixth, one in the seventh and one in the eighth to take the 10-4 victory.
La Verne is now tied for first place in SCIAC with a record of 9-3 and an overall record of 13-6. Pomona-Pitzer is 8-7 in conference and 9-7-1 overall.
The Leopards will next be in action next Saturday as they travel to Orange to take on Chapman for a doubleheader. The first game will begin at 1:00 pm.
