ORANGE, Calif. — Cal Lutheran Baseball had runners on first and second with zero outs in the top of the ninth, but Chapman got out of the inning and escaped with 4-3 win on Friday afternoon.
 
After two games against non-conference competition, the Kingsmen continued the season with a three-game series with Chapman. The loss makes it two straight to SCIAC opponents as the Kingsmen drop to 2-2 in conference play.

Alexander Rivas was on the mound and got tagged early with two runs in the second and third innings. He went 6.0 innings and gave up nine hits and four runs. Clay Rickerman came on in relief, and did his job, throwing 2.0 hitless innings. 

The Kingsmen offense had its chances to answer, but left 11 men on base, including the bases loaded three times. 

The Purple and Gold cut the lead to one, scoring three runs in the top of the fifth. Daniel Parr, Harrison Dunkel and Joseph Scalzo each provided a key hit while Kyle Reuser, Brendan Durfee and Dunkel scored the runs. 

The Kingsmen continued to have their chances to score, but the Panthers pitchers and defense kept CLU quiet. Austin Carrillo went 3-for-5 on the day and led off the ninth with a single. Reuser kept the inning alive and singles to have two men on and zero outs. 

After a pitching change, Durfee reached out a fielder's choice and the Kingsmen had runners at the Corners. 

Sean Blandino came in to pinch-hit and did his job as he put the ball in play. The Kingsmen took a chance and sent Carillo home, but he was thrown out on the play, and the Panthers escaped with a 4-3 win. 

Cal Lutheran and Chapman will play two more games tomorrow. The Kingsmen host the doubleheader with the first game starting at 11 a.m. 

Box Score: CU 4, CLU 3
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director