THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A seven-run sixth inning for the MIT Engineers snapped a six-game winning streak for the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen, taking the non-conference matchup 10-6, Thursday afternoon.
Cal Lutheran took the early lead in the contest, putting up a three spot in the second on a bases clearing single by sophomore Tanner Wright. The infielder went on to also lead the afternoon at the plate, going 3-for-6 for his sixth consecutive multi-hit performance. Also contributing offensively, senior Anthony Sidley and junior Ryan Probst added an RBI apiece.
On the bump for the Kingsmen, sophomore Scott Roberts pitched five shutout innings while fanning a season-high eight to start the game. However, a hit batter and back-to-back singles to lead off the sixth forced him to hand the ball over to sophomore reliever Clay Rickerman.
However, the Engineers were able to take advantage of the no-out, bases-loaded situation to tack on seven runs in the frame. Ethan Rolland worked a bases-loaded walk, followed by a wild pitch, single by Matt Johnson, and doubles from Jared Schwait, Cory O'Shea and Andrew Krause to put MIT on top 7-3.
Finally getting the team out of the inning, freshman Noah Kang-Matias struck out MIT's Thomas Allison to stop the bleeding. And while the Kingsmen were able to get a run back on a single from Probst, the Engineers added a trio of runs in the seventh to push the deficit to 10-4.
Looking for the comeback, sophomore Daniel Parr led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to left field, his seventh in as many games. Senior Weston Clark and junior Matt Sciumbato then followed with consecutive walks to load the bases with no outs. Appearing to spark a rally, Sidley singled to right to bring in a run and a pass ball brought Clark home to cut the lead to 10-6.
However, the two runs would be all the Kingsmen could manage that inning. On the other hand, giving the Kingsmen the opportunity to knot things up, senior Nick Maldonado, sophomore Mason Snodgrass and sophomore Zach Hardman pitched shutout eight and ninth innings to hold things down.
Unfortunately, MIT had Cal Lutheran's number and stranded a total of 14 Kingsmen to win the contest 10-6. The team's first loss in nearly two weeks snaps a six-game winning slide for the Kingsmen and moves the program to 16-5 overall.
Looking to get back on track, the Kingsmen head to Pasadena, California, tomorrow to start a three-game conference set against the Caltech Beavers. First pitch for game one is set for 3 p.m. at Caltech's North Field.
Box Score: MIT 10, CLU 6
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Release by Christy Effendie, Assistant Sports Information Director