ORANGE, CA — Logan Reese hit a clutch three-run blast in the top of the 11th inning and the No. 9 University of La Verne baseball team left Hart Park with a huge 4-1 win over the Chapman University Panthers Friday evening.

Season Impact 

The win lofts the Leopards back into sole possession of first place in the SCIAC with a 12-4 conference record. Pomona-Pitzer (11-5) and Cal Lutheran (13-6) follow in second and third place. La Verne improved to 19-8-1 overall.

With a full count, two outs, and a 1-1 tie in the 11th, Reese blasted a shot over the left field fence for what proved to be the difference-making runs. It was Reese's third home run of the season and second in as many games. Reese finished the game 2-5 with a double.



Austin Klopfenstein picked up the win to improve to 3-0. The junior right-hander pitched two and two-thirds innings and struck out six. Niko Urquidi was outstanding in his start. The freshman struck out seven in seven and one-third innings of work with no earned runs.

Heading into the eighth with a 0-0 stalemate, Noah Garcia reached base after a Chapman error and took second after a passed ball. Aiden Salcedo brought him home with a sacrifice fly to right field. 

The lead was short-lived as the Panthers tied the game in the bottom half of the inning following a La Verne error and an RBI single by Kai Osaka.

The La Verne and Chapman pitching staffs combined for 20 strikeouts.

Matthew Diaz finished with two hits and a run. Anthony Salcedo drew La Verne's only walk of the game, one at-bat before Reese's home run.

Next Game

The Leopards conclude their series with Chapman today at Ben Hines Field in a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.