Baseball opens season on wins

photo by Adam Omernik

Philip Seston (No. 28) of The Master’s College is safe at second after his attempt to steal third is thwarted by University of La Verne second baseman Tony Lagos (No. 5) , Friday at Ben Hines Field. The Leopards won the home game, Friday, 13-7, but lost Saturday’s away game, 13-12, against the Mustangs at Reese Field in Santa Clarita.

by Amanda Egan
Staff Writer

Baseball began the 2004 season strong, gaining two solid wins against National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics opponents in their tough pre-season schedule.

“The wins we came up with in the past three games are huge,” head coach Scott Winterburn said. “These NAIA teams have been practicing and playing games since September. This is great for our confidence.”

The Leopards split with Master’s College last weekend and defeated Cal Baptist on Feb. 3 in the season opener.

The Leopards fell to the Master’s in game two of the series on Mustang territory Saturday, 13-12. La Verne struggled in the first inning on defense, committing three errors that led to five runs.

“Our team showed a lot of character coming back the way we did,” Winterburn said.

Pinch hitter Danny Bonilla had two hits and two RBIs. Another Leopard that contributed to the comeback was senior Adrian Reyes going three for five.

The Leopards faced Cal Baptist for their first game of the season at Ben Hines Field earning a 2-1 victory on Feb. 3.
Lindeen started on the mound for La Verne, striking out eight and allowing only two hits.

“When we face NAIA opponents we expect good competition because they offer scholarships and tend to get a solid group of athletes,” Lindeen said.

Sarrail relieved Lindeen in the sixth to earn the win.

The only two hits from the Leopards offense came from seniors Reyes and Joe Scott. Scott hit a two run homer in the bottom of the seventh to put La Verne ahead of the Lancers for the victory.

“We are pleased with our seniors’ efforts; they are making a positive contribution,” Winterburn said. “These seniors have been in the program for a long time, so we expect good things from them this season.”

La Verne defeated the Master’s at home Saturday, 13-7. Shortstop Ryan Holmes produced offensively for La Verne, going three for four at the plate. Left-fielder James Ortega earned three hits and had three RBIs.

Senior Alan Sarrail earned his second win of the season pitching five innings. Senior Tom Fenton came out of the bullpen to relieve Sarrail.

“Tom came out of the bullpen and shut the door on the Master’s,” Winterburn said.

“We have a lot of team chemistry, everyone is stepping up,” senior Scott Lindeen said. “The young guys are really picking up their play.”

La Verne, Pomona-Pitzer and Cal Lutheran are expected to be in close contention for the league title. Claremont, Redlands and Occidental are expected to have solid ballclubs as well.

“We are in a really tough conference so it is important that we win at least two out of three games in every series,” Lindeen said. “We can’t overlook any teams.”

Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play kicks off against two-time defending champions Pomona-Pitzer on Feb. 20.

La Verne will face Biola University (ranked No. 3 in NAIA) in its final pre-season contests today and tomorrow.