THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - In a pitcher's duel lasting less than two hours the Cal Lutheran baseball team fell 2-0 at "Sparky" Anderson Field to Whittier on Monday afternoon. Poets pitcher Ryan Schwenn tossed a complete game, five-hit shutout for the victory.
Box Score: WC 2, CLU 0 - F
Schwenn threw 117 pitches including 77 strikes to go the distance while fanning eight Kingsmen and issuing one base on balls. His effort played the biggest role in Whittier (19-15, 13-11 SCIAC) earning its first road win over Cal Lutheran since April 23, 1993.
Schwenn picked up his fourth straight complete game victory in as many starts on Monday. During that stretch he has tossed a no-hitter against La Verne (March 30) as well as a five-hitter against Occidental (April 6) and quality start against Redlands (March 23). Over his past five starts the Poet pitcher has thrown 46 innings and posted a 4-0 record, to go along with a 0.98 ERA and 26 strikeouts.
Overshadowed was the performance of Cal Lutheran starting pitcher Peter Ciaramitaro. The Kingsmen hurler threw 123 pitches and held the Poets to just six singles on the day. Whittier was able to plate a pair of second inning runs courtesy of a safety squeeze bunt from Josh Genzuk and an Alex Mitchell RBI-single.
All 11 base hits were of the single variety with each team picking up two in the first inning. Cal Lutheran put two runners on with one out following one of Trevor Koons' team-high two hits in the game.
Before throwing a pitch to the ensuing Kingsmen hitter, Schwenn was able to pick off the runner at second base for the second out. It was the only CLU runner whom would reach scoring position in the game.
Tyler Kem was one of four Cal Lutheran hitters to collect a hit on the day. He led the team defensively with four assists from his third base position including a diving stab to end the top of the seventh inning.
Cal Lutheran (20-13, 15-9 SCIAC) remains three games back of the top spot with four league games left after La Verne (23-12, 18-6 SCIAC) fell to Redlands 10-8. CLU is now tied for second place in the conference standings with Pomona-Pitzer following its victory over Occidental.
Cal Lutheran will be on the road Saturday, April 21, against Occidental (19-16, 14-10 SCIAC).
