ULV masters the 'Stangs in opener

by Chrissy Zehrbach
Assistant Editor

Setting a precedent for the 2003 season, the University of La Verne baseball team swept Master's College in the season-opening double header Saturday in Santa Clarita.

Strong offense was the key aspect for the Leopards as they dominated over the Mustangs.

In the first game, La Verne got off to a quick start, scoring two runs in the first and third innings and continued its success with eight in the fifth and four in the seventh.

Junior pitcher Scott Lindeen gave up only one run in each of the first, fifth and sixth innings for a final score of 16-3.

Junior outfielder Daniel Soriano and designated hitter Aaron Mendoza led the team in hitting with three hits each, including a homerun apiece.

The second game was a closer contest in the early innings.

After the Leopards scored one run in the first, the Mustangs came back to tie the game at one apiece.

They would also answer La Verne's single run in the third with their own in the fourth to tie the game at two.

It was in the fifth inning that the Leopards took the reins and jumped on a big lead with four more runs, followed by one in the sixth and three in the seventh.

The Mustangs continued to struggle with their at-bats as they could only produce one final run in the seventh inning off freshman reliever Michael Bockstahler, resulting in a 10-3 win for ULV.

"The guys have an understanding of what we need to do offensively," Winterburn said. "We have a good opportunity to hit the ball with a little more power than the last couple years."

In the series against Master's, the Leopards scored 26 runs off 25 hits, while defensively, they allowed only six runs off the Mustangs' 15 hits.

"We ran our offense fluidly and created great opportunities to score some runs," said senior third baseman Derek King.

"We played really well and did a good job coming out and implementing the things we've worked on in practice," Winterburn said. "Games are an extension of practice. We will need to stay focused on the little things it takes to win."

"Pitching is going to be key," Bockstahler said in regards to the season.

Winterburn will look to his 10-man pitching staff this season to execute and lead the defense with strong starts and relief.

"The true test of our staff is going to the bullpen," Winterburn said.

As it exhibited Saturday, the squad is strong this year.

"This is the strongest group we've had in my three years here," Winterburn said. "We're a deeper team in the field than we've been in the past."

The Leopards return 17 players from last year's roster and welcome 11 new players to the program.

Winterburn said the newcomers will be a big contribution to the team.

"The new players will fill the holes in our team that needed to be filled," he said.

Carrying a big team will create a lot of opportunities and lend a lot of support to the team.

"The season will depend on how well players come off the bench and help the team," Soriano said.

This season, the Leopards' main focus will be preparation. Winterburn said he plans to take it one game at a time and prepare for each game individually and complete the objectives.

"Winning is nice, but my goal for this group is to prepare for every opponent like it means something," Winterburn said. "Then, at the end of the season, someone will tell you where you rank.

"We have a tough schedule ahead of us," Winterburn said. "I'm looking forward to finding out more about what the team can do as we play."

The Leopards, who placed third in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference last season, will also look to improve their 22-16 overall record (10-8 in SCIAC).

"I expect very good things this season," King said. "I'll be very disappointed if we don't have a good run in SCIAC."

The Leopards will begin conference play with games against Claremont at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at Ben Hines Field and 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 in Claremont.