TUCSON, AZ — The University of La Verne baseball team rallied in the fourth inning, scoring four runs to tie Pacific Lutheran Friday afternoon at the Cactus Classic. But the Lutes rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the ninth and held on for the 6-4 win to spoil the Leopards' opening day.

Christopher Peres had a great start to the year going 3-4 at the plate. The senior got the Leopards on the board in the fourth inning when he singled to right field to score freshman first baseman Tanner Siffert.

Lukas Granado finished with a pair of RBI, doubling in Christopher Ligot and Peres to tie the game 4-4. Ligot added an RBI of his own in the fourth that scored catcher Adam Santa Cruz. 

The Lutes jumped on the Leopards early in the game when Marques Carlson led off the top of the second inning with a solo home run to spark his squad's offense. Pacific Lutheran scored three more runs off three hits in the inning. 

Devon Burhans pitched five and a third innings of relief for the Leopards, striking out three in the loss. Matt Franceschina picked up the win for the Lutes.

Siffert added a hit and a walk in his Leopard debut. Brandon Vogel and Santa Cruz each finished with a hit.

Next Game

The Leopards continue the Cactus Classic with a doubleheader tomorrow. La Verne will square off against two more contests Northwest Conference opponents, opening the day with a 9 a.m. game against George Fox at 9 a.m. followed by a 2 p.m. game against Pacific.