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Baseball finds its winning groove

La Verne's Lucas Berry slides home to add a final run to the board in the bottom of the seventh inning during the first game of a double header against Redlands Saturday. Catcher Kevin Hazelton's struggle for the ball accurately depicted the Bulldogs' three-game losing streak to La Verne, Friday and Saturday. / photo by Adam Omernik
La Verne’s Lucas Berry slides home to add a final run to the board in the bottom of the seventh inning during the first game of a double header against Redlands Saturday. Catcher Kevin Hazelton’s struggle for the ball accurately depicted the Bulldogs’ three-game losing streak to La Verne, Friday and Saturday. / photo by Adam Omernik

by Lacy Cascadden
Staff Writer

It is hard to imagine that just a few weeks ago, the University of La Verne baseball team was in the middle of a losing streak. It has managed to bounce back, walking away from last weekend’s series with a three-win sweep over the University of Redlands.

“Last weekend was the first time besides the series opener that we played in all aspects of our game,” said head coach Scott Winterburn.

Saturday, ULV took the second game in the double header against Redlands, 4-2.

This was nothing compared to the 11-5 first game and the 13-2 win Friday night.

“We are not taking anything lightly. We are treating everyone with respect,” said senior outfielder Ray Podesta. “We are going to respect each game and each team. And now with the experience, we know that we can do it.”

The Leopards managed to win both days away and on home soil as they out-scored the Bulldogs 28-9.

“It went well. Everyone is starting to come through and feel confident and hit the ball,” Podesta said.

The third game was a close battle for the Leopards, but they took the win over the Bulldogs with Adrian Reyes’ home run and two RBIs. Derek King pitched seven strong innings.

“The guys did a great job doing what they do,” Winterburn said.

The second game was just as eventful with three runs in the second, and two in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. John Doak, Aaron Mendoza and Scott Lindeen all played an important role in the 11-5 win, with Doak and Mendoza scoring three runs and Lindeen striking out four.

“Everyone has the feeling. They are more confident in themselves and in others. It comes with being successful,” Podesta said.

Friday night in Redlands, the game broke wide open in the fifth inning with six runs from ULV. Podesta had two doubles and a four RBIs in the win, while Alan Sarrail only gave up two runs.

“It seemed like everyone contributed,” said senior pitcher Neal Houska. “We did the small things, and the pitchers did well.”

ULV now stands 9-16 for the season and 5-7 in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“We have had the potential all season to play like this, so we will have to see what happens,” Houska said.

The Leopards play Occidental at 3 p.m., today at Ben Hines field, and they travel to play at 11 a.m., tomorrow in Los Angeles for a conference double header.

“We cannot over look Occidental and focus on Cal Lutheran,” Houska said. “One game at a time.”

“We could still finish out with our best season in three years,” Winterburn said.

Lacy Cascadden
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