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Leopards get clobbered by Sagehen bats

Pomona-Pitzer scores 36 runs in a three-game sweep of La Verne.

La Verne third baseman Jason Munoz slides in vain as Pomona-Pitzer’s second baseman Kyle Pokorny records the first out of a double play Friday. The Leopards gave up the game to the Sagehens, 3-0. / photo by Rafael Anguiano
La Verne third baseman Jason Munoz slides in vain as Pomona-Pitzer’s second baseman Kyle Pokorny records the first out of a double play Friday. The Leopards gave up the game to the Sagehens, 3-0. / photo by Rafael Anguiano

Ashley Morgado
Staff Writer

The Leopards baseball team struggled last weekend, getting swept in a three game series against the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens.

La Verne lost the first game at Ben Hines Field on Friday, 3-0, and dropped a doubleheader Saturday at Pomona-Pitzer, 13-9 and 20-8.

Lefty Matt Baudino started the first game Friday and managed to pitch a scoreless game until pitcher Andy Cerafice relieved him in the eighth inning.

A wild pitch by Cerafice allowed Sagehen first baseman Nicholas Frederick to score.

Then to seal the deal, third baseman James Campbell connected for a homerun to bring in junior Teddy Bingham, bringing the final score to 3-0.

“We didn’t play to the level we are capable of playing at,” said junior pitcher David Bradley.

“We are a whole lot better than we showed,” said senior catcher Mike Surina.

Although they did not take the first game of the series, the Leopards came out strong the next day on the road.

But taking an early lead in the first innings, Pomona-Pitzer showed their strength by pulling ahead by seven runs.

La Verne starter Tim Jolly gave up eight runs – seven earned – in five innings of work.

In the middle of the game La Verne bounced back and managed to tie the game with a homer by first baseman Kevin Ibarra.

Unfortunately, the Leopards were unable to finish the second game on top, losing 13-9.

“They stuck with it, and we folded,” Jolly said. “We are more of a talented team; they just outplayed us.”

The third game proved to be too much for the Leopards, who with a lack of focus and a couple of key errors ended the series with a 20-8 loss.

Pomona-Pitzer was able to put the game away with a 12-run third inning.

Leopard starter Dane Delfs got tagged for 13 runs in just two innings to take the loss, dropping his record to 1-3.

La Verne is now sixth in the Southern California Intercolleg­iate Athletic Conference with a 4-5 record in conference play and a 6-8 record overall.

“We lost focus of our detail, and it put us in a bad position,” Surina said. “We made mistakes that put is in a hole.”

Although truthful, Surina and his team are still hopeful they can turn the season around.

Their next match up is 2:30 p.m. Friday against Occidental, followed by a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ben Hines Field.

“Going into this weekend, we need to find out what we are made of,” Surina said.

“In baseball, you can’t focus or dwell on the past,” Bradley said. “The team is confident in everyone’s ability and I know we are capable of bouncing back.”

“We need to stay consistent with the energy throughout the season, and I think we have,” Jolly said.

Ashley Morgado can be reached at ashley.morgado@laverne.edu.

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