by Heather Morales
Staff Writer
After winning a three game series against the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen on Feb. 17 and 18, the University of La Verne Leopards defeated the Caltech Beavers last weekend to stay undefeated and in first place in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a perfect record.
As the thunder roared in the distance with a threat of rain on Friday, the Leos defeated the Beavers, 9-3.
“I am very pleased with the season as it is progressing,” said Head Coach Owen Wright.
The Leos kept the Beavers from scoring in the first inning only to score themselves when Jeff Polinsky hit a line drive double to bring in Greg Vargas.
In the third inning the Leos scored again. Vargas hit a fly ball to the center field gap to bring in Mike Smith from second base.
The Leos had a high scoring inning in the fourth with four runs crossing the plate.
Seth Marrs hit a one-run home run to start off the inning and a bunt by Smith brought in two runs.
Polinsky brought in Smith off a line drive single to right field.
The Leo pitching was on all day as George Garcia won his first game of the season. Garcia pitched for eight innings with five strikeouts before Terry Conklin came in to finish the job.
“We have been getting excellent pitching and some very timely hits,” said Wright.
La Verne was able to sweep both games of the Saturday doubleheader with scores of 12-1 and 9-4.
The cold morning air didn’t stop the Leos from scoring early with two runs in the first inning off of a double by Vargas.
The Beavers didn’t have much luck with the Leo pitching either.
Francisco Quintana pitched an excellent five innings with three strikeouts before Conklin came in to relieve in the sixth inning.
The Leos scored at least once in every inning to make the score 12-0 until in the seventh inning when the Beavers’ Marcos Santos scored when Jason Kuan was walked with the bases loaded.
The Leos ended the game with defense on a double play.
After a short break the Leos went on to win the third game over the Beavers to sweep the series.
The final score was 9-4 and starting pitcher Steven Reyes had his first win of the season.
“Everyone on the squad has played a role in these wins,” said Wright.
With an overall 8-3 record and a 6-0 SCIAC record, the Leos lead the conference by two games over Occidental College.
“At this point in conference, La Verne is the team to beat,” said Wright.
Continuing on their winning streak, the Leos defeated UC San Diego 4-3 on Wednesday in San Diego.
Jeff Doen picked up the win for the Leos who never trailed the Tritons. ULV scored one run in the first inning and one in the fourth. La Verne scored two in the seventh before yielding two runs to San Diego in the bottom of the eighth.
The Leos will travel to fifth place Pomona-Pitzer for a single game today and host a doubleheader against the Sagehens tomorrow.
