WHITTIER, CA — The University of La Verne baseball team opened SCIAC conference play and kicked off their three-game series against Whittier College with a decisive 6-2 victory at Mendez Stadium. In a game that moved at a brisk pace, the Leopards used timely hitting and dominant pitching to secure the win.

La Verne (5-1) trailed 1-0 after the first inning but took control in the fourth, as leadoff hitter Noah Garcia jump started the rally with a triple to deep right-center field. With Garcia in scoring position, the Leopards quickly capitalized when an infield error allowed him to cross home plate, tying the game at 1-1. The momentum continued as another three consecutive defensive miscues by Whittier put runners on, setting up a key sequence that resulted in two more runs for La Verne. The Leopards extended their lead in the seventh inning, adding three more runs to pad their advantage. Noah Garcia sparked the rally yet again with a sharp single to bring in the first run of the frame. A wild pitch allowed another run to cross the plate before Nolan Anguiano capped off the scoring with a well-placed sacrifice fly, giving La Verne a commanding 6-1 lead.

Starting pitcher Matthew DesMarets (1-0) was stellar on the mound, tossing seven strong innings while allowing just one run on three hits and striking out 10. Justin Ries closed the door, earning his first save of the season with two innings of work, striking out three.

Garcia led the offensive charge for La Verne, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Benny Vogel also contributed two hits and an RBI, while Anguiano and Logan Corthell each drove in a run to keep the Leopards in control.

Whittier (2-5) struggled to generate offense against La Verne's pitching, collecting just five hits. The Poets' lone RBI came from Andrew Jasso in the eighth inning, but a double play quickly halted any momentum.

La Verne will look to carry this momentum into the rest of the series as they face Whittier again on Saturday in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Ben Hines Field.