LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne baseball team was recognized on Thursday with three players earning All-SCIAC honors. Jack Holguin and Nathan Perry were named to the All-SCIAC First Team, while Aidan Salcedo was tabbed to the Second Team. Additionally, Holguin received Pitcher of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors. Their standout seasons helped carry the Leopards to their ninth consecutive SCIAC Tournament.
Complete All-SCIAC List
Holguin broke on to the scene, finishing the regular season with a 2.87 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, a dominant 7-1 record, 46 strikeouts, and a no-hitter. Overall in the SCIAC, the freshman finished second in earned run average, tied for second in wins, allowed the second fewest hits and runs among qualified pitchers, and the lowest batting average against. In SCIAC play, he posted a conference-best 6-1 record with a league-low 2.35 ERA, allowing just a .206 batting average with 38 strikeouts in 46.0 innings pitched. Holguin is the first Leopard to earn SCIAC Pitcher of the Year honors since Gerald Terry in 2023. He is the second player in the SCIAC and first since 2013 to earn Newcomer of the Year and an Athlete of the Year award in the same season.
Perry wraps up his final regular season as one of the most prolific players in school history. He is just the second Leopard to earn four First Team All-SCIAC honors (Nicky Leyva, 1972-1975). He put together an outstanding season, serving as a consistent offensive force. The catcher tallied 60 hits and scored 47 runs in 155 at-bats, including 13 doubles, 4 triples, and 3 home runs, while driving in an impressive 53 RBIs. Perry also showed discipline at the plate with 19 walks and added speed on the bases with six stolen bases. He finished the year slashing an exceptional .387 batting average, .474 on-base percentage, and a .581 slugging percentage. Perry was named the Anthony P. Scafani Sportsman of the Year at the University of La Verne's annual Senior Blanket Awards on Tuesday.
Salcedo delivered his best season at La Verne, providing a reliable presence both offensively and defensively over 40 games to earn his first All-SCIAC honor. Salcedo recorded 54 hits and crossed the plate 46 times in 144 at-bats, collecting 12 doubles and two home runs while driving in 43 RBIs. The senior also earned 24 walks, helping him post an outstanding .503 on-base percentage, while also adding 4 stolen bases on the year. He finished the season with an impressive .375 batting average and a .500 slugging percentage.
The Leopards will build off of their core's success, as they play in the second round of the SCIAC Tournament today at 3 p.m. against the No. 1 seed Claremont-Mudd-Scripps hosted at Azusa Pacific University.
