SHREVEPORT, LA — Adam Santa Cruz totaled eight RBI and the University of La Verne baseball team's bats stayed hot as the Leopards swept the Centenary College Gentlemen in Louisiana.

Season Impact

The Leopards, now 6-1, are off to their best start since 2012 when they opened the season 7-1. More importantly, La Verne gains more momentum heading into their SCIAC opener against No. 20 Chapman.

Stat Leaders

Along with his eight RBI, Santa Cruz finished the weekend 6-11 at the plate. The senior catcher added three runs, two walks, and a double.

Ryan Galan continued his incredible start to the season with five more hits, five runs, and a pair of walks. The senior was also dangerous on the basepath, swiping five bags.

Tanner Siffert and Christopher Peres each finished the stretch with four hits apiece. Siffert scored three times and hit in a run. Peres totaled two RBI, one run, and one double.

Game One: La Verne 8 Centenary 0 (Seven Innings)

The Leopards opened the weekend in dominating fashion, shutting out the Gentlemen. Santa Cruz got the Leopards rolling, hitting in the first three runs of the game. Peres doubled in Santa Cruz to put La Verne up four nothing in the top of the second inning.

Pinch runner Cameron Dice added the Leopards' fifth run of the game after stealing second, advancing to third on an error, and scoring on a wild pitch.

La Verne added three more runs in the inning off the bats of Jacob Benson and Santa Cruz.

Cody Norman picked up his second win of the season, going six and two-thirds innings with six strikeouts and just four hits.

Game Two: La Verne 6, Centenary 4

The Leopards took advantage of a Centenary miscue in the sixth when Brandon Shiota scored on a throwing error to give La Verne a 5-4 lead. Santa Cruz hit a sacrifice fly to score Benson to add an insurance run.

After falling behind 4-1, Jacob Freedman drew a bases-loaded walk in the third to cut the deficit to just two runs. Benson and Galan each added an RBI later in the to tie the game.

Devon Burhans picked up the win in two and two-thirds innings of work, striking out four. Peres picked up his first save of the season, striking out five in three and one-third innings or relief. Alfredo Frey went three innings in his start.

Game Three: La Verne 7, Centenary 5

In the final game of the series, the Leopards rallied for four runs in the eighth to take the lead for good.

Trailing 5-3, Siffert hit a two out single to bring Benson. Back-to-back walks by Santa Cruz and Peres added another run. Shiota put the Leopards up two when he singled to right field to score a pair of runs.

Five different pitchers stepped onto the mound for the Leopards. Andrew Aguilera got the start, striking out five in three and a third innings. Alec Telles picked up the save, pitching the final inning of the series. Steven Canedo picked up the win, pitching one inning of relief.

Next Game

The Leopards head into SCIAC play when they host No. 20 Chapman on Friday at 2:30 p.m.