by Landus Rigsby
Staff Writer
After tearing through Masters University for three first inning runs, the University of La Verne Leopards evaded a comeback by hanging on to win 4-2 Tuesday at Ben Hines Field.
Senior pitcher Sean Caldwell pitched a complete game, recording seven strikeouts while only giving up two runs and seven hits. ULV’s batting was led by junior second baseman Lyle Miller and senior shortstop Brock Whobrey, who both had a two of four hitting game, with Whobrey also picking up an RBI. Sophomores Armando Hernandez, Eric Britton and David Riffle all had an RBI each in Tuesday night’s game. Junior third baseman Robert Perea also contributed to the Leopard offense, going two of three on the evening.
“It was an exceptional game by both teams,” said ULV head coach Owen Wright. “There were no errors and both pitchers went all the way. That’s the way baseball should be played.”
Caldwell got the Leopards rolling early, striking out the first three batters in the top of the first inning. The Leopards took an early advantage on offense as well, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. Miller’s lead-off single led to an RBI triple to left field by Whobrey. Britton batted in Whobrey with a sacrifice to short giving ULV a 2-0. Senior right fielder Seth Marrs continued the La Verne offensive flurry with a single to the left field gap leading to an RBI by Hernandez.
Masters University struck back in the second inning with a solo blast to left field, but ULV held on to its lead by eliminating the next three batters.
In the fourth inning, ULV was victimized by Masters again, with an RBI single after a triple to right center wasn’t handled by Marrs. The Leopards nailed the next three out of four batters to keep a 3-2 lead going into the fifth.
Both teams remained scoreless for the next four innings, until in the eighth, ULV scored an insurance run to put the game away. Whobrey singled past third base to lead off the bottom of the eighth for the Leopards. Two batters later, sophomore David Riffle batted in Whobrey, who came in from first base.
“At this point in the game, I felt we were at a deadlock with Masters,” said ULV freshman pitcher Andrew Davis. “We had a one run lead, but we needed to score at least another run to secure the win.”
Wright said there is no problem with getting an early advantage, but believes staying focused and finishing strong is just as important.
ULV closed the lid in the ninth, with Caldwell picking up his seventh strikeout of the evening The victory was official after two fly balls by Masters University were fielded, then caught by the Leopard outfield.
“It was good that we started out like we did,” said Marrs. “We played a great game. They (Masters) had a great hitting team. Caldwell had a good game and Armando (Hernandez) had some clutch hits.
The record of La Verne stands at 9-10 overall, 8-4 in SCIAC, as the Leopards are on a four game winning streak. The Leopards host U. Mass Dartmouth at 9:00 a.m. and University of Redlands thirty minutes after the first game tomorrow at the California Invitational held at Ben Hines Field Saturday and Sunday.
