LA VERNE, Calif. - The Drew University baseball team blanked La Verne from the third through the eighth innings, but the Leopards hit a walk-off infield single in the bottom of the ninth to edge the Rangers 3-2 in the final game of Drew's Spring Break trip on Thursday.

By the Numbers
Drew (3-4) finished 2-3 during its Western excursion, which was shortened by one game due to a rainout. La Verne improved to 10-5.
 
Highlights
• The Leopards led 2-0 after two innings, but the Rangers pushed across singles runs in the third and fourth on RBI-singles from junior Max Felsenstein and senior Joe Grossane.
• After yielding five hits over the first two innings, junior starter Pete Violante settled in and allowed just four hits and no runs over his last four frames.
• The Rangers put up a threat in the fifth and seventh innings before La Verne retired the final eight batters. In the fifth, Drew had runners on first and second with one out after senior Zach Lipshitz doubled and junior Max Felsenstein walked; however, the Leopards induced an inning-ending double play. Then in the seventh, the Rangers again had first and second occupied following singles from senior Mike Pettigrew and Lipshitz. But again La Verne escaped, this time on a strikeout and groundout.
• Senior Joshua Williams came on to fire a pair of scoreless innings in relief before the Leopards rallied in the ninth against two Drew relievers. A single, walk, and intentional walk loaded the bases before a hard-hit ball into the left side was knocked down by an infielder, as the runner from third easily scampered home. 
 
Top Performers
• Lipshitz went 2-for-3 with a double while seven other Rangers batted safely.
• Over six innings, Violante gave up two runs (one earned) on nine hits and no walks. He struck out four.
• Williams gave up only one hit and no runs over his two innings.

Stat Sheet
La Verne held a 12-9 advantage in hits while each side committed just one error. Senior Harry Cohen (1-1) started the ninth and was charged with the loss while classmate Davis Fouts also appeared in the inning.
 
Up Next
Drew takes six days off from competition before returning to action next Thursday, when it visits Muhlenberg College in a non-conference outing starting at 3:30 p.m.