LOS ANGELES — Johnathan Brooks extended his hitting streak to 21 games with three hits —including a solo home run — and the Occidental baseball team threatened another ninth-inning comeback. 

But despite rallying for six runs in the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers couldn't overcome three errors and four unearned runs, losing the first of a three-game series with La Verne, 10-8 at Anderson Field on Friday.

The Tigers fall to 17-10 overall and 13-6 in SCIAC play. La Verne mantains its hold on first place with the win, moving to 13-3 in SCIAC and 16-10 overall.

Brooks, who has reached base in every one of the Tigers games this season, was 3 for 4. His homer sailed over the right field wall in the bottom of the seventh inning. 

Oxy, which has won 8 of 9 one-run games this year, many of them dramatically in the ninth or in extra innings, trailed 10-2 before giving the Leopards the late scare.

The game got away from Oxy in the fourth inning with three errors that led to a five-run inning for the Leopards. 

Oxy catcher Victor Munoz was 4 for 4, including an RBI double in the fifth that drove in Oxy's first run.

Devon DeRaad, who is leading NCAA Division III with 11 home runs, went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. 

Javi Iniguez earned the win for the Leopards and Joseph Kling was charged with the loss for the Tigers. 

SCIAC Standings: It seems like every game the Tigers play is for first and for fourth place in the standings. There are six teams that have at least 10 wins and still in the mix for the four-team SCIAC Postseason Tournament as well as the regular season SCIAC Championship.

Next Game: The Tigers and the Leopards finish the series with a doubleheader at La Verne on Saturday.

The Tigers take a break from SCIAC action next weekend, traveling to Salem, Ore. to play at Willamette for a three-game series.