By Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern

DOMINGUEZ HILLS – An early deficit and a pair of opposing home runs caused the La Verne Leopards to record their first loss on the season Saturday, surrendering to the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros 9-4 after beating them by the same score on Friday. 

The Leopards were able to start the scoring in the first when junior Tanner Siffert singled home sophomore Anthony Salcedo, who led the team with three hits in five at-bats on the day. The Toros quickly responded with a three-run homer in the bottom half of the inning, and scored in each of the first four frames to take a commanding 8-1 lead. 

The Leopards used four pitchers to get through the ballgame, including junior Alfredo Frey in relief for back-to-back appearances. Sophomore Nick Zolferino started on the hill for La Verne, and made his season's first appearance alongside Benny Vogel and junior Gerry Terry, who struck out four in two perfect innings. 

La Verne recorded nine hits, fronted by Salcedo's three and sophomore Cameron Slessor's pair of knocks. Siffert drove in one with his RBI single, as did junior Brandon Shiota. The Leopards have a small break in the schedule and will next host Schreiner University at Ben Hines Field on Friday, Feb. 18 as they look to build on their 1-1 record.