WHITTIER, Calif. (April 30, 2023)- The Poets and Leopards returned to action today at Whittier College for the decisive third game of the series. Whittier and La Verne each managed to put up a lot of runs, but it was the Leos who came out on top, 11-8. 

As the game began, Teige Barrett took the ball for the Poets. After striking out the first two La Verne hitters, the wheels began to fall off for Whittier. Two doubles and three errors allowed four runs to come across the plate as the Poets trailed early. 

Whittier managed to get all four runs back in the bottom half of the second. Jay Schulze led the inning off with a single, then Nathan Sherman reached on an error and James Stirton walked. This brought Dane Goodman to the plate with bases loaded. Goodman once again delivered for the Poets, hitting a bases-clearing triple. Barrett, who was also Whittier's No. 2 spot hitter today, then smacked a single to bring home the fourth run of the inning. 

La Verne did not let this game remain tied for very long, as they hit a pair of balls over the left field fence. These home runs btought three more runs across the plate. The Leos were now up 7-4.

The Poets tied it back up in the bottom of the fourth inning with a big two-out rally. Lew Rice started things off drawing a walk and Maximus Berber hit him all the way around with a double. Matt Woods stepped to the plate next and got his perfect pitch. Woods slammed his first collegiate home run over the fence, tying the game. 

This game continued to be back and forth with La Verne recapturing the lead in the fifth inning. With runners on second and third a base hit through the left side brought two more runs in. La Verne now led 9-7. 

In the seventh and eighth, the Leos built upon their lead, scoring another run in each frame and extending their lead to 11-7. 

Whittier looked to have some momentum going in the bottom half of the eighth, with Barrett reaching on an error as the leadoff man. Rice then doubled to put runners on second and third for Berber. Berber hit a ball sky high that La Verne was able to catch, but Barrett did come in to score. However, the rally would stop there as the Poets were not able to get themselves going again. 

This game would end with La Verne coming out victorious, 11-8. Goodman provided the Poets with two hits, a run, a triple, and three RBI. Barrett collected two hits, a run, an RBI and pitched two innings with three strikeouts. Berber and Woods each collected a hit, a run, and two RBI. Rice, meanwhile, was 1-2 with three walks, a double, and run scored. 

Whittier will play its final series of the season next week, as it takes on Pomona-Pitzer. The first game of the series will be hosted by the Sagehens on Friday at 3:00. Before the Poets return home on Saturday for Games Two and Three beginning at 11 a.m. Prior to the game, the graduating seniors of both teams will be honored for their achievements. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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