REDLANDS, CA — The University of La Verne baseball team dropped the series opener on Friday afternoon to the Redlands Bulldogs 7-6, despite a three-hit day from Nathan Perry.
Aidan Salcedo, Isaiah Figueroa, Lucas Zayac, Daniel Moreno, and Aaron Whobrey all recorded a hit, while Figueroa and Whobrey combined for three RBIs. Perry led the way offensively. The senior backstop went 3-5 with two runs scored and a run driven in.
All six Leo runs came in two innings. They wasted no time in the first, plating three to start the game. RJ Libby walked, and Salcedo was hit by a pitch, allowing Perry to rip a single through the right side, scoring one. Zayac received the second free pass of the inning, and Figueroa followed with a two-RBI single.
La Verne saw another three-spot in the sixth. Perry and Zayac continued their strong days, going back-to-back with singles to open up the frame. Later in the inning, Perry scampered home on a wild pitch, and Whobrey came through with a big RBI knock. The third run of the inning came home on a second wild pitch, tying the game at six. Despite this offensive production, Redlands responded with one in the bottom half and was able to escape a jam in the ninth to close out the win.
Zenen Pena gets credited with his first career loss, going four innings out of the pen and allowing two earned runs. Justin Reis, Andrew Wente, and Jordan Mansfield were effective, combining for two innings of no-run baseball.
Up Next: La Verne will wrap up the regular season with a Saturday doubleheader against the Bulldogs starting at 11 a.m. The Leopards' magic number to clinch a spot in the play-in game is down to one.
