LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne baseball team was defeated by the University of Lynchburg 7-1 in game one of the best-of-three series.
The Hornets broke the game open late with a six-run eighth inning to take the win
Niki Urquidi got the start for the Leopards, went six and two-thirds, struck out five, walked four, and allowed one unearned run. Urquidi got out of numerous jams in the game.
In the bottom of the second, Urquidi walked a batter with one out. The Hornets' Gavin Collins hit one in the 4-3 hole but hit baserunner Eric Hiett's foot for a huge second out. Wesley Arrington struck out, keeping the game scoreless, stranding three.
Scoreless with one out in the bottom of the third inning with the bases loaded, Urquidi got a strikeout and a flyout to end the frame. It was the second inning in a row where the Hornets had the bases loaded and came up empty.
In the top of the sixth inning, with the game still scoreless, Benny Vogel drew a leadoff walk. Ryan Vosika executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, advancing Vogel to scoring position. Then Second Team All-SCIAC outfielder Matthew Diaz came through with an RBI single to right field, bringing Vogel home and breaking the scoreless tie.
The Hornets tied the bottom of the seventh inning when Benton Jones hit a slow roller to the third. A throwing error on the play allowed Brandon Garcia to score from second, tying the game at one. Austin Klopfenstein relieved Urquidi in the seventh as the 1-1 tie was intact heading into the top of the eighth inning.
With the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the eighth inning, O'Kelly McWilliams was hit by a pitch, putting the Hornets up 2-1 and knocking Klopfenstein out of the game. The Hornets drew a four-pitch walk to make it 3-1, a two-run single off the bat of Benton Jones extended the lead to 5-1, and a throwing error made it 7-1 Hornets.
The Leopards must win two games tomorrow to advance to the NCAA DIII Baseball Championship. Game one of a potential doubleheader is set for 11:00 a.m. (PT). If the Leopards open with a win, they'll force the final game of the series starting 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
