WHITTIER, Calif. — Chris Torres pitched 7.0 innings and got the win, Jalen Parks smashed a 2-run home run in the second inning, and Cal Lutheran baseball opened conference play with a bang as they defeated Whittier 4-2. 

The Kingsmen won their fourth straight game, improving to 5-2 on the year and 1-0 in SCIAC. 

Torres had seven solid innings in the win, giving up just two hits and two earned runs. He struck out three batters and walked three. Clay Rickerman pitched the final two innings and earned his second save of the year. He struck out two, giving up two hits and two walks. 

The fireworks came early as Parks smashed a 2-run homer to center field. He picked up 2 RBI as Brendan Durfee scored. Whittier was quick to answer and scored one run in both the third and fourth inning. 

Durfee and the Kingsmen broke the tie in the fifth. Durfee doubled to center field, scoring Zach Lafata. Cal Lutheran pushed across an insurance run in the eighth as Lafata hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Zachary Ritter. It was all the run support Cal Lutheran needed as they won the game.

The Kinsgmen will go for a series sweep on Saturday as Cal Lutheran hosts Whittier for a doubleheader. The first game is set to start at 11 a.m.  

Box Score: CLU 4, WC 2
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