THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Nick Rhoades hit a three-run home run, Alexandar Rivas pitched 6.1 strong innings and Cal Lutheran baseball defeated La Verne 12-3 to open the SCIAC Postseason Tournament on Friday afternoon.

The Kingsmen travel to Chapman for the remainder of the tournament. Cal Lutheran continues the double-elimination format on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Rhoades crushed his first collegiate home run. He put the Kingsmen up big, 8-1 in the fifth, as the ball was smashed over the left field wall. He added a double and two walks, while going 3-for-3, with four runs and four RBI.

Alexander Rivas was on the hill for the Kingsmen. After giving up a run in the first inning, he settled down over the next three, and struck out four batters through four innings of play.

The Purple and Gold got on the board in the bottom of the second. Austin Carrillo led off the inning with a single and Rhoades drew a walk. Hard hit balls from Sean Blandino and Brendan Durfee forced errors for the Leopards as CLU scored twice. Jalen Parks made it three runs in the inning with a sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Kingsmen were at it again. They loaded the bases as Nick Fusari singled to lead off and Kyle Reuser and Zach Bullard drew walks.

Carillo got the scoring going with a sacrifice fly to left field. Fusari scored and Reuser moved over to third.

Rhoades then put the Kingsmen up 8-1. On a full-count pitch, Rhoades cleared the bases with a home run over the left field wall.

During the fourth through six innings, Rivas rolled on the mound, sitting down seven straight Leopards. He pitched five consecutive scoreless innings as the Kingsmen controlled the game.

After La Verne scored two runs in the top of the seventh, Rivas exited in line for the win. Clay Rickerman entered with one out and runners on first and second. He got two ground ball outs and the Kingsmen ended the threat.

Cal Lutheran answered three runs in bottom of the inning. With the bases loaded the Leopard pitchers walked in three consecutive runs.

Rickerman continued to pitch strong against La Verne and went three up, three down in the eighth. Rickerman continued to mow down the competition as the Kingsmen finished off the Leopards and won 12-3.

Box Score: CLU 12, ULV 3
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director