THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran exploded for 21 runs on 21 hits to rout Caltech in their home opener, Friday afternoon at George "Sparky" Anderson field.
The incredible offensive display was highlighted by freshman Austin Carrillo who provided three doubles in his 3-for-3 day at the plate, notching two RBI and three runs scored. Ryan Probst also enjoyed a three-hit day, going 3-for-3 while batting in two and coming across to score three times.
Ryne Yamashiro continued his hot streak with his 2-for-3 performance, racking up three RBI and three runs scored in his massively productive display at the plate. Earning his first start of the season was Zach Bullard who went 2-for-3 with an RBI in his season debut. Daniel Stauffer came off the bench to go 2-for-2 with two RBI.
Alexander Rivas prolonged his scoreless-inning streak to 12 after tossing six scoreless frames with eight strikeouts and scattering two hits. The sophomore improved to 2-0 after another masterful outing.
"I think our guys followed the game plan pretty well," said Head Coach Marty Slimak. "I think we executed when we needed to execute and we just wanted to win every inning, and I think we did that very well today."
Pitching would dominate the first two frames as neither team could get the bats going. The Kingsmen finally broke it open in the bottom of the third inning when Carrillo blasted a double over the center fielder's head to lead things off. Probst followed with a double of his own to trade places with Carrillo and give Cal Lutheran the lead. Probst would then come home on an RBI base hit from Yamashiro, a solid line drive up the middle. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Bullard stepped to the plate and grounded a ball through the right side to make it a three-run third inning.
CLU rallied for four more runs in the fourth inning as Harrison Dunkel set the table with a ground ball up the middle to land himself on first. Dunkel swiped second base and then came around to score on Carrillo's second double of the game. Yamashiro split the right-center gap to bring two runners to the plate as he raced into third for a triple. Daniel Parr got in on the hit parade to score Yamashiro and cap off the rally.
Carrillo picked up his third double of the contest in the fifth inning to start a five-run rally. Hits from Probst and Jalen Parks helped keep the train moving as the Kingsmen extended the lead to 12-0.
In the sixth inning, Cal Lutheran continued to pour it on with a nine-run inning. Gordon Richardson, making his collegiate debut, Matt Sciumbato and Stauffer all reached base to start the frame and eventually scored on hits by Alexander Briggs and Ben Wangrin.
CLU batted around in the sixth and Richardson, who led off the inning, picked up his first career hit and RBI. The Kingsmen totaled six hits in the inning and made it a 21-0 ballgame heading into the seventh inning, which would prove to be the final frame due to the 10-run mercy rule after seven innings.
Michael Effatian made his debut in the Purple and Gold as he toed the rubber in the seventh. The freshman threw up a zero and picked up his first career strikeout to seal the victory in the home opener.
Also making their season debut was Sean Blandino.
CLU looks to win the series in tomorrow's doubleheader on Feb. 15 starting at 11 a.m. when the Kingsmen travel to Pasadena, Calif. to complete the three-game set against Caltech.
Box Score: CLU 21, CIT 0
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Release by Jeff Rebello, Assistant Sports Information Director
