The University of La Verne baseball team suffered a 16-7 loss to No. 4 ranked Kean University Thursday afternoon at Azusa Pacific University.

La Verne (14-9) had a three-run first inning and a two-run rally in the ninth, but it would not be enough to top the Cougars.

Kean (12-4) got off to a quick start scoring seven runs off on seven hits in the first inning highlighted by Joe O'Connor's three-run homer. The Leopards tallied three runs in the bottom of the inning. George Hanna and Cody Hazel led off with back-to-back singles. Jacob Ludvik doubled to right center to score La Verne's first two runs. Jason Moralez's RBI single to left field would score Ludvik for the final run of the inning.

After a scoreless second, Kean added three runs in the third, four in the fourth and one in the fifth to take a commanding 15-3 lead. La Verne added two runs in the bottom of the fifth off of RBI singles by Kevin Knight and Bryce Roenicke.

After the Cougars added one more run in the seventh inning, La Verne rallied in the bottom of the ninth, scoring two runs. Ludvik singled up the middle, stole second and then advanced to third on a passed ball. Michael Stewart then singled to score the first run. With one out on the board and the bases loaded, Stewart went on to score the final run off of a passed ball by Kean's catcher.

Chris Cirlincione earned the win, pitching five innings for the Cougars. The loss went to Christian Grossi. 

Ludvik led the Leos offensively going 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBIs, three runs scored, a double and a stolen base.

La Verne resumes SCIAC play this Friday as they head to Claremont to take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the first game of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm.