by Jonathan Corral
Assistant Editor
The University of La Verne jumped up in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings last weekend with three wins over the University of Redlands.
In a three game series, the Leopards swept passed Redlands using a deadly offensive attack that scored 38 runs with a total team effort that lifted the Leopards to 4-1, 18-12 and 16-14 victories over the Bulldogs.
With the sweep, the Leopards improved their overall record to 16-7, 7-2 in SCIAC, just a half game behind first-place Cal Lutheran University.
“We did the little things that you have to do in order to win games,” senior A.J. Reyes said. “Now we have to take every game one at a time. We have to worry about the game at hand and we should be fine.”
Game three of the series in Redlands started off with a bang as both teams combined for eight runs in the first inning.
The Leopards started things off with three runs in the top of the first when Tony Lagos doubled home two runs, taking the early 3-0 lead. Lagos finished the series with eight total hits.
Redlands quickly responded with fives runs of their own off Leopards’ starter Alan Sarrail.
Both starters regained their composure and held the opposing hitters at bay until both teams exploded in later innings.
Trailing, 8-4, heading into the seventh, the Leopards responded like true champions, scoring four runs in the seventh, three in the eighth and five in the ninth to take the victory.
Garrett Riojas started the onslaught with a homerun that sparked the rest of the lineup. Ortega followed with a triple, scoring two to inch the Leopards closer to the Bulldogs.
Ryan Holmes tied the game up at eight with his RBI single to right, giving life back to the Leopards.
The Leopards were led by Ortega, who finished 3 for 5 at the plate with six RBIs, as well as Riojas, who hit 3 for 5 with three RBIs.
Game two of the series was a marathon of sorts, lasting four hours and 15 minutes.
It was another hitting display as both teams combined for 30 runs, with the Leopards coming away with a 18-12 victory in ten innings.
The Leopards came through in the clutch, scoring eight runs in the top of the tenth, closing the door on any chance for a Bulldog comeback.
Holmes finished the game hitting 4 for 6 with an RBI, and Soriano went 2 for 5 with three RBIs.
The Leopards received help from the Bulldogs, who committed four errors in the top of the tenth, contributing to the Leopards’ eight-run explosion.
The big tenth inning began for the Leopards when Reyes knocked a double to center field scoring the first two runs of the innings.
Momentum stayed on the Leopards side as they continued putting runs on the board, taking advantage of the lackluster Bulldog defense.
The opening game of the series at Ben Hines Field was a far cry from the hitting display put on by both teams in the doubleheader in Redlands.
Excellent pitching was the name of the game as both pitchers kept the opposing hitters in check. Leopards’ starter Mark Simmons pitched seven strong innings, propelling them to a 4-1 victory.
“Friday’s game was just a great game,” head coach Scott Winterburn said. “I was real pleased with our offense, our versatility and the way we manufactured runs against a good pitcher.”
The Leopards jumped on the Bulldogs early, scoring two runs in the first inning. Their defense and pitching did the rest.
The Leopards added a run in the second and sixth, paving the way for the victory.
B.J. DuBarry had two RBIs and Lagos went 2 for 3 with one RBI.
The Leopards face Occidental this weekend, playing game one in Los Angeles Friday and a doubleheader at 11 a.m. Saturday in La Verne.
“In order to catch the first place team, we have to win games,” Winterburn said. “As a team we have to play our game, do the things we have learned and play together as a team, when we do that we play very well and it starts this weekend against Occidental.”
