LA VERNE, Calif. (April 29, 2023)- Whittier hit the road today to take on the University of La Verne Leopards in a SCIAC battle. La Verne has dominated the conference this year, entering the day with a 16-2 record. In the first game the Poets played hard, but came up short 6-4. As the second game began, Whittier jumped on the Leopards early and carried it to a 6-4 victory. 

Game 1:

The Poets ace Maximus Berber took the ball for game 1 this series;  although he came away with the loss Berber pitched well. The big man went 7 innings giving up 4 runs to a strong La Verne lineup. 

The game began great for the Poets, with leadoff man Dane Goodman smoking a triple over the center fielder's head. He was brought home on the next pitch when Teige Barrett hit a SAC fly to left field. 

Whittier carried the momentum over into the second, scoring 2 more runs. Matt Woods began the inning off with a single and Jackson Brummett was able to move him over with a SAC bunt. Nathan Sherman then walked to put runners on first and second for James Stirton. Stirton got his pitch and drove a single into left field allowing Woods to score. Goodman then continued his great start with a single up the middle scoring the second run of the inning. 

In the third inning the Leos were able to string together a series of hits to score 2 runs. The game slowed down at this point, with Whittier maintaining a 3-2 lead until the seventh inning. Berber dominated this game, but unfortunately his pitch count got up there and one swing changed this game. The Leopards hit a 2-out triple allowing 2 runs to score and give them a 4-3 lead. La Verne extended their lead in the next inning, scoring 2 more runs to go up 6-3. 

Whittier tried to get their offense going again in the ninth, but only managed to score 1. Stirton was able to come up and hit a double and scored on an error a few batters later. However, La Verne would hold on to win 6-4. 

Game 2:

The freshman Aaron Cazares toed the rubber for Whittier in game 2. The first year man pitched 5 strong innings giving up 1 earned run on 5 hits, but unfortunately gave up 3 more unearned runs. However, the Poets bats provided enough run support for him to secure his third victory of the year. 

Once again as the game began, Goodman was ready. He singled his way on to start and then utilized his speed to steal second. Berber, who was the starting pitcher in game 1, got the Poets on the board later in the inning, singling home Goodman with 2-outs. 

In the second, Sherman and Stirton singled to bring Goodman to the plate with runners on first and second. Lacing one to left field, Goodman extended the Poets lead as he brought a run home on this hit. Whittier had a 2-0 lead. 

The fourth inning was the big one for Whittier. The first 3 batters were able to reach base following 2 errors and a miscommunication play from the Leopards. With the bases loaded, who else would be coming to the plate. Goodman again got a pitch he liked and singled home 2 more runs. The center fielder was now 3-3 with 3 RBIs this game. Barrett then cleaned this up for Whittier knocking home 2 more runs with a massive triple. The Poets were now up 6-0.

La Verne tried to fight back, as they scored 2 runs in the fourth and another 2 in the 5th, but Whittier's lead was too much. After Cazares was taken out of the game, the Poets turned the ball over to Zach Kennedy. Kennedy, who gave the Poets a lot of quality innings on the mound last year, has been out for the majority of the season dealing with arm issues, but when he got the all clear to begin pitching again he was ready. In his first action since the beginning of February, Zach threw 2 hitless innings with a strikeout. Jay Schulze, who has been the Poets shortstop for many of their games this year, came in to slam the door on La Verne. Schulze pitched 2 innings only giving up 1 hit, to secure his first collegiate save. Whittier would win this game 6-4. 

Goodman had a monster day at the plate coming away with 5 hits, 3 runs, 4 RBIs, a triple, and 2 stolen bases. Rice continued to swing the bat well with 4 hits, including a double. Stirton provided 3 hits, 3 runs, an RBI, a double, and stolen base. 

After splitting the day with La Verne, Whittier will return home to take them on again in the deciding game 3 of the series. This decisive game will begin at 1:00, as the Poets look to be the first team to take a series from the Leopards all year. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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