LA VERNE, Calif. — The University of La Verne baseball team took the lead in the second inning, Lukas Granado hit a grand slam in the third, and the Leopards rolled on their way to an 18-3 win over the Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior Universidad Zorros in a season-opening exhibition Friday afternoon at Ben Hines Field.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth and the base loaded, Granado smoked a pitch to left to put La Verne up 13-0 capping off an eight run inning. Granado finished the game with three hits.

Mauricio Guadarrama had a big day, finishing a perfect 5-5 at the plate with three RBI and four runs scored.

Nicholas Michaels finished with a double and three RBI.

Left fielder Christopher Ligot and designated hitter Jakob Thomas each notched multiple hits. Ligot went 2-2 with a run scored and Thomas added a pair of hits, two RBI, and a run scored.

Christopher Arcos got the start on the mound for La Verne, pitching three innings and giving up just two hits and one earned run. AJ Jimenez struck out two in two innings of work.

The Leopards finished the game with 18 total hits.

The Zorros were led by David González Leyva who finished with a hit, an RBI, and a run scored.

CETYS took the opening 1-0 lead after Marcos Almonte Talamantes tripled to right center and was brought in on an RBI single by Arturo Amaya. 

Next Game: The Leopards next head to Texas for a three game slate against No. 16 Texas-Tyler. Game one is set for Thursday, February 8 at 5 p.m. (PT).

About CETYS: Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior University is a WASC accredited private institution based primarily in Mexicali and Tijuana. The university currently offers men's and women's basketball, women's and men's volleyball, baseball, softball, men's soccer, cheerleading, and football, and it's in the process of developing track and field for men. CETYS aims to be the first Mexican institution to join the NCAA. The Zorros are seeking to join the Division II California Collegiate Athletic Association.

New York Times article about CETYS Athletics 

Information about NCAA Ruling on Mexcian institutions