Late-inning miscues would prove costly for the University of La Verne baseball team resulting in a 5-2 loss to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Friday night at Mazmanian Field on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College.

The Stags, 1-11 in SCIAC play entering Friday night's contest came out aggressive immediately loading the bases in the first inning, but would have their attempt at a rally thwarted by La Verne first-baseman Michael Stewart who's diving inning-ending double play bailed the Leopards out of a first-inning jam.  Stewart would also help La Verne offensively, scoring Josh Surdo on an RBI single in the bottom of the first and providing an RBI single to center-field in the bottom of 5th to put the Leopards up 2-0.

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps' Scott Witte would homer in the top of the sixth to cut the La Verne lead to one.  However, the final blow would come in the top of eighth as a pair of singles and a walk would load the bases for the Stags bringing up Ray Hurwitz, who would single to right to allow two runners to cross the plate putting CMS up 3-2.  Jack Witte would then double to right-field and score two more to go up 5-2.

La Verne would leave two runners on in their next two opportunities at the plate but would be unable to score as the Stags would come away with the victory.

Kevin Knight started on the mound for the Leopards going 7.1 innings,  giving up six hits and two runs, both earned.  Javi Iniguez (L, 0-1) faced three batters, giving up three earned runs on two hits.  Brett Early struck out four of the seven batters he faced in relief.

Stewart was 2 for 4 on the day with a pair of RBIs.  Surdo and Mason Stoltenberg both scored for La Verne.

La Verne is now 12-7, 6-4 in SCIAC play and will resume action tommorow in a doubleheader against CMS at Arce Field in Claremont beginning at 11:00 am.

PHOTO CREDIT: Hunter Cole