THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Kingsmen returned to conference play with a huge 15-5 win over the Whittier Poets.
Starting on the mound for the Purple and Gold was Alexander Rivas. Rivas secured the win for the Kingsmen from the start and pitched a total of 5.2 innings, tallying nine strike outs. Relieving Rivas and finishing off the game for 2.1 innings was freshman Luke Wechsler.
The Poets got out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first but it didn't last long. The Kingsmen retaliated in the bottom of the first with five runs of their own. The Poets tried to stay in it but the Purple and Gold's offense was too much for them to handle.
Austin Carrillo had himself a day at the plate. Carrillo went four for five in the box, tallied six RBIs, and hit a three-run homer.
Carrillo singled in the bottom of the fourth to send home Kyle Reuser and to extend the Kingsmen's lead to 6-3. The Poets put two more on the board but the Purple and Gold started to run away with it after that.
In the bottom of the sixth Carrillo sent a ball through the left side, sending Zach Lafata across the plate and putting the Purple and Gold up 7-5. Zach Bullard was in the batter's box after that and hit a two RBI single through the left side. By the end of the 6th inning the Purple and Gold had a four-run advantage.
Lafata kept the scoring rolling in the bottom of the seventh with a double to left field, getting Ben Wangrin across home plate. Shortly after that, Carrillo sent his ball out of the park, scoring himself, Ryan Farr, and Reuser. Jalen Parks added to the seventh inning scoring with a single up the middle that allowed Bullard to get across the plate. They entered the top of the eight with the 14-5 lead.
To finish off the scoring and the game for the Kingsmen was Carrillo once again. Carrillo singled up the middle and Kaden Brennan got home.
The Purple and Gold face Whittier again tomorrow for a double header on the road. First pitches are at 11 am and 2 pm.
Box Score: CLU 15, WC 5
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Release by Cate Boller, Assistant Sports Information Director
