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Baseball takes on rival Panthers

Striding to make the run to first base, Panther Brian Brubaker’s attempt is vetoed by Leopard Jonathan Marty at Saturday’s game. The home match ended in a Leopard loss, 4-3. La Verne managed to take the final game of the series defeating Chapman, 4-2. / photo by Gloria Diaz
Striding to make the run to first base, Panther Brian Brubaker’s attempt is vetoed by Leopard Jonathan Marty at Saturday’s game. The home match ended in a Leopard loss, 4-3. La Verne managed to take the final game of the series defeating Chapman, 4-2. / photo by Gloria Diaz

Matt Griffin
Staff Writer

The University of La Verne men’s baseball team challenged the Chapman Panthers in a three-game scuffle last weekend.

Chapman with a 21-5 record, is ranked No. 2 in the nation according to the most recent NCAA Division III ranking.

La Verne was ready to hold their ground challenging the Panthers with a 21-7 record and playing two of the three games at home.

Last Friday, the Leopards hosted the Panthers at Ben Hines Field, but fell 5-6 in a tough fought battle.

The Leopards scored one run in the fourth inning. They trailed 6-1 entering the ninth, but a four-run rally in the ninth fell short left for the Leopards

B.J. DuBarry led the Leopards offensive fight going 3-for-4 with and RBI.

Although the Leopards contributed 12 hits as a team, it wasn’t enough to edge the Panthers.

In Saturday’s first game of the doubleheader, La Verne hosted Chapman at Ben Hines field before they traveled to Orange.

Scott Lindeen had a strong pitching performance, pitching a solid eight innings striking out seven. The Leopards also had a sound offensive drive of 11 hits.

Despite Lindeen’s stellar showing, ULV fell to the Panthers, 3-4.

In the final game of the series on Saturday evening in Orange, the Leopards decided to take vengeance on the Panthers.

After being down a few runs La Verne stepped it up a notch starting with the return of Mike Bockstahler, who went 3-for-4, including a single in the seventh inning.

Bockstahler’s final single sealed the win for the Leopards, defeating the Panthers, 4-2.

Craig Neu came in and overpowered the Panthers with bases loaded. Neu struck out one and forced Chapman into a game ending double play.

“We are going to be ready for Whittier,” Neu said. “The team is playing great and we are happy to have Bockstahler back.”

The team looks forward to finishing their season strong and charging into the SCIAC championships with confidence.

“We have nothing to lose,” sophomore outfielder Danny Bonilla said. “We are batting for first place. Our team is ready.”

“We must win these next three games. It is a must win situation from here on out,” said sophomore pitcher Mark Simmons.

Nine conference games remain for the Leopards, who will look to advance in the standings as they take on Whittier this weekend.

La Verne will travel to Whittier today at 3 p.m., followed by a doubleheader against the Poets tomorrow at Ben Hines Field starting at 11 a.m.

Matt Griffin can be reached at mgriffin@ulv.edu.

Matt Griffin, Sports Editor
Matt Griffin
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Gloria Diaz, Arts and Entertainment Editor
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