LA VERNE, Calif. – Whitworth University picked up its first baseball win of the season on Friday afternoon against the same team that defeated the Pirates in the opener of the 2025 NCAA Division III Regional. By the same score.
Whitworth (1-3) handed 16th-ranked La Verne a 5-1 setback in the Leopards' season opener on Friday afternoon at Ben Hines Field. It was the same score ULV handed the Bucs in last year's regional at the same site.
Nathaniel Kurano and Dillon Hartman combined on a four-hitter to lead the Pirates against the powerful Leopard offense. Kurano (1-0) started the game and allowed one run on three hits over 5.0 innings. He survived five walks, in part by striking out four batters. Dillon Hartman came on to throw the final four innings and shut out ULV on one hit, the only baserunner he allowed. Hartman retired the Leopards in order in the ninth.
Whitworth scored its first three runs on solo home runs from Caleb Gray in the first, Spencer Shipman in the fourth and Carson Coffield in the eighth. It was Coffield's second of the season.
The Bucs loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth on two walks and a fielder's choice. After a strikeout Dominic Giusti drew a walk to drive in a run. Cole Weiland then drove a ball deep to left field for a sacrifice fly.
Justin Ries (0-1) started on the mound for ULV and took the loss after allowing two runs on four hits over 5.0 innings. Three Leopards followed in relief.
Whitworth will head back to Pomona-Pitzer for a doubleheader on Saturday featuring two seven-inning contests.
