THOUSAND OAKS, CA — In a nationally ranked showdown to open a pivotal three-game SCIAC series, the No. 6 University of La Verne baseball team mounted a spirited ninth-inning rally but ultimately fell short in a 4-3 loss to No. 15 California Lutheran University on Friday afternoon. 

Trailing 4-0 entering the ninth, the Leopards showed late life with three unearned runs in the final frame. Logan Reese reached on an error to open the inning, and a second miscue put two runners aboard with no outs. After Ryan Vosika was hit by a pitch to load the bases, pinch-hitter Jake Ledford delivered a sacrifice fly to get La Verne on the board. Matt Rice then grounded out to bring home another run, and Noah Garcia followed with a clutch RBI single down the right field line to make it a one-run game. But with the tying run on base, the rally was cut short by a flyout to center, and Cal Lutheran held on to secure the win.

La Verne out-hit the Kingsmen 10-6 and had several opportunities throughout the game, including stranding multiple runners in scoring position. Ryan Vosika led the Leopards with a 2-for-4 day at the plate, including a double in the second inning, while Garcia, Malachi Francois and Nolan Anguiano also recorded multi-hit performances.

The Kingsmen did their damage early, plating two runs in both the second and fourth innings off Leopard starter Matthew Desmarets, who suffered his first loss of the season (6-1). Cal Lutheran's Luke Wechsler improved to 6-0 on the mound, tossing eight strong innings while allowing nine hits but no earned runs. Justin Kim picked up his first save despite La Verne's late surge.

The Leopards (22-4, 10-3 SCIAC) and Kingsmen (21-7, 11-2 SCIAC) continue the series on Saturday with a doubleheader at Ben Hines Field. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. as La Verne looks to bounce back and take the series on home turf.