LOS ANGELES — The Leopards took a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning and never looked back, throttling the Occidental Tigers 13-1 in the first of a three-game series.

The No. 14 University of La Verne baseball team finished with 15 hits in the win. La Verne has scored 10 or more runs in seven games this season and has totaled double-digit hits in nine games. 

Nathan Perry led a quartet of Leopards with multiple hits. Perry totaled three hits, including his third home run of the season, two RBIs, and a walk. Perry left the yard in the sixth when he hit a two-run shot to left that plated Matthew Diaz.

Not to be outdone, Logan Reese hit a homer of his own, his first of the year, as part of a two-hit performance. Reese's three-run bomb put a stamp on the game, scoring the final three runs of the rout. Reese scored three times and drew a walk. 

Jason Givens hit in a pair of runs off two hits and added a stolen base. After the Tigers took the lead off a wild pitch in the third, Givens evened the game in the top of the fourth when he drove in Reese.

Ryan Vosika scored twice and added two hits. Brothers Anthony Salcedo and Aiden Salcedo both posted an RBI. Diaz scored twice.

Niko Urquidi allowed just one run in four and two-thirds innings. Gabriel Lucero picked up the win, pitching one and a third relief innings. Devin Avila pitched the final three innings, striking out two to earn the save.

Season Impact

The Leopards improve to 8-3-1 overall and 3-1 in the SCIAC. The Tigers drop to 7-12 overall and 3-1 in the conference.

Next Game

The Leopards and Tigers wrap up the series at Ben Hines Field on Saturday in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.