THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran came from behind to take game one 8-7 and clinch the series victory over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, but saw their hopes at a sweep halted as the series finale was suspended due to darkness with the score tied 10-10 in the eighth inning. This contest will be continued at a later date.
The Kingsmen (9-0, 5-0 SCIAC) remain unbeaten in 2020. This matches the best start to a season since 2009.
Game 1
Mason Snodgrass got the nod in the morning contest and the junior lasted four innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits.
Daniel Parr was the only Kingsmen hitter to enjoy a two-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a triple. Tanner Wright, Austin Carrillo, Ryan Probst and Harrison Dunkel each picked up a hit and reached base at least twice in the first game of the twin bill.
The Stags got to Snodgrass early in the top of the first, scoring twice to take the lead. Ryan Probst ended the threat, however, with a strong throw to the plate to cut down a possible third run.
Cal Lutheran replied with a two-spot of their own in the bottom half of the inning, using singles from Tanner Wright and Austin Carrillo to set the table. Probst would draw a walk to load the bases for Ryne Yamashiro, who delivered with a long fly ball to deep right field to score Wright. Daniel Parr brought Carrillo to the plate with a groundout and the Kingsmen had cancelled out the CMS lead.
In the top of the second, another fantastic defensive play from Probst in center field kept another run off the board as the senior's sliding effort on a sinking liner stranded runners at the corners.
Both teams would go scoreless in the second frame, but in the top of the third, a two-out solo shot plus a couple more hits from CMS made the score 4-2. The Stags put together another two-out rally in the fourth inning and extended their lead to 5-2.
The Kingsmen brought runners to second and third with one out in the bottom half of the fourth, but the hosts were unable to capitalize on the opportunity as a pair of strikeouts killed the rally.
Tyler Hazlett was chosen as the next hurler for CLU and the right-hander retired the side in order to stop the bleeding. This would shift the momentum as the Purple and Gold rallied in the bottom half of the fifth.
Dunkel, once again, provided the spark for the Kingsmen as the sophomore led off the inning with a perfectly-placed drag bunt to reach base. The San Marino, Calif. native put pressure on the defense by attempting to swipe third base and forced a wild throw from the CMS pitcher. Dunkel would easily score after the errant throw rolled deep into foul territory.
Back-to-back walks from Wright and Carrillo loaded the bases and Probst came through with a sacrifice fly. After Yamashiro worked a walk, Joseph Scalzo legged out an infield single and forced an errant throw from the Stags' shortstop, which brought Yamashiro and Carrillo around to score. This gave Cal Lutheran their first lead of the game at 6-5.
After a scoreless sixth inning, the Stags tacked on one run in the seventh to even the score at 6-6.
More defensive miscues from the visitors allowed the Purple and Gold to regain their lead. Parr laced a line drive into the right-center gap for a triple to score Yamashiro, who reached on an error. Cal Lutheran's right fielder ended up making the full trip around the bases after another erratic throw allowed him to score. The Kingsmen were now ahead 8-6 heading into the eighth frame.
Clay Rickerman was the bridge to the closer as he tossed 1.1 shutout innings and allowed just one hit while punching out two hitters to improve to 3-0 on the year.
Christian Slattery surrendered a home run in the ninth and allowed CMS to put the tying run on second base, but the nation's leader in saves added to his tally after inducing a fly out to end the game. The senior now has five saves on the season.
Game 2
The excitement would not subside in the series finale as another comeback from the hosts created another crazy finish.
Wreaking havoc in the middle of the order was Zach Bullard who earned the start at first base. The junior went 2-for-4 and blasted his first home run of the season, en route to a two-RBI day.
Zach Hardman toed the rubber to start the contest and was the recipient of some tough luck as the senior was forced to pitch around four errors in his outing.
Probst had the Kingsmen feeling good as the Pleasanton, Calif. native launched a solo shot in the first inning to give his team an early advantage. Cal Lutheran doubled their lead in the third inning after an RBI single from Matt Sciumbato.
CLU made four errors in the fourth inning and CMS capitalized on the defensive mistakes, scoring eight runs to break the game open.
Bullard's home run in the bottom of the fourth cut the lead in half, but the visitors replied with a two-spot of their own.
The Kingsmen managed to get those runs back after Daniel Stauffer slapped a pinch-hit triple to lead off the inning. Stauffer scored on a wild pitch and Probst later plated Wright, who reached on a walk, with a sacrifice fly.
Christian McCauley-Venegas made his collegiate debut on the mound for Cal Lutheran and picked up two strikeouts against the first two batters he faced.
As the sun began to set at George "Sparky" Anderson Field, the Kingsmen got to work offensively and rallied for four runs to unexpectedly tie the game at 10-10 in the eighth inning. A walk, error and hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for Scalzo who drew another walk to make it a three-run game. A wild pitch brought another run across to make it just a two-run deficit.
With two-outs and the game on the line, Wright came through with a two-out, two-strike single to left field, scoring two more runs to send the dugout into a frenzy after CLU had completed the comeback.
Unfortunately, the Kingsmen could not add any additional runs and the umpires decided that there was not enough light to continue the contest safely. This game would be suspended due to darkness and will likely feature an exciting finish when the last inning is eventually played.
The Kingsmen get back to action Feb. 26 at 2:30 p.m. when they host Centenary (La.) at George "Sparky" Anderson Field.
Box Score: CLU 8, CMS 7 | CLU 10, CMS 10 (8 inn.)
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Release by Jeff Rebello, Assistant Sports Information Director
