TUCSON, Ariz. — The momentum shifted away from the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen, Sunday morning, as they fell by a final score of 20-5 to the George Fox Bruins. Though newcomers freshman Sean Blandino and junior Ryan Probst recorded multi-hit outings, pitching woes and a series of errors defensively proved costly in the team's Cactus Classic finale. 

Offensively, Blandino and Probst both went 2-for-3 at the plate, hitting in the leadoff and clean-up spots, respectively. In addition to Probst, sophomores Tanner Wright and Daniel Parr collected the team's three RBIs on the day. 

The runs came early for the Kingsmen, scoring two in the top of the first. With the first three batters reaching safely, Probst stepped up and reached first on a fielding error by the Bruins' second baseman, allowing both senior Kaden White and Wright to score. 

However, pitching troubles quickly put Goerge Fox on top as sophomore Mason Snodgrass struggled to find his command from the mound. He allowed eight earned runs to the Bruins on six hits with three walks and one strikeout in 0.2 innings of work. 

Down 8-2, Cal Lutheran picked up two more runs in the following two innings to cut the deficit to half. Wright knocked a ball to the center fielder in the second to bring home junior Daniel Stauffer, his second sacrifice fly in as many games, and Parr reached on a fielder's choice in the third that allowed Probst to score. 

Unfortunately for the Kingsmen, the Bruins were able to tack on six more runs in the bottom of the third and cut off Cal Lutheran's bullpen streak of scoreless innings at 20. Overall, the relief staff gave up 12 runs (nine earned) on 15 hits, including two homers, while striking out seven. 

And though Cal Lutheran was able to pick up a late run in the seventh inning on a throwing error by the Bruins' second baseman, the early deficit had dug them too deep as they fell by a final score of 20-5 on the final day of the Cactus Classic. 

The team returns home to Ullman Stadium on Friday, February 22, in an early conference matchup against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. The three-game series begins at 2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon and concludes with a double header at CMS on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.

Box Score: GFU 20, CLU 5   
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Release by Christy Effendie, Assistant Sports Information Director