THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - A baseball game featuring sister school programs today at George "Sparky" Anderson Field inside of Ullman Stadium went to host Cal Lutheran as the Kingsmen defeated Pacific Lutheran 3-0 this afternoon beneath sunny blue skies as CLU rounded out the non-conference portion of its 2014 schedule.
In a game that had extra incentive for starting pitcher Scott Peters, he and battery mate Spencer DuBois came up big for the Violet and Gold in the shutout.
Facing his parents' alma mater, Peters kept the Lutes hitless through 5.2 innings until Clay Trushinsky looped a single to center in the top of the sixth, though the junior southpaw bounced back with his fifth strike out of the day to end the frame. Overall, Peters (4-1) threw 7.0 innings without allowing a run while scattering two hits. Not only did DuBois catch the entire game with six putouts and an assist, he was 3-for-3 with an RBI and scored the ultimate game-winning run.
The game was scoreless through two and a half until the Violet and Gold broke through. DuBois led off with a line drive up the middle and moved to second as Justin Caña nearly beat out a bunt, earning the sacrifice instead. Nicho DellaValle reached on a throwing error by the third baseman, allowing DuBois to scurry home and put up the first crooked number of the day. An infield single from Kyle Sanchez followed and Ramsey Abushahla plated DellaValle with a double to the right centerfield gap to quickly double the lead.
CLU would add to the advantage in the bottom of the fourth when Davey Casciola started the frame with a double over the right fielder's head. DuBois stroked a double of his own that landed just inside the foul line in left field, driving in Casciola with the third and final run of the game.
The best scoring opportunity for PLU came in the top of the seventh when the Lutes loaded the bases on a ground rule double, walk and hit batter, but Peters got a foul pop-up to DellaValle to end the threat, keeping the visiting squad off the board.
In the eighth inning, CLU closer Aaron Roth came in to face just one batter over the minimum in 2.0 innings en route to his sixth save of the spring.
Also collecting a pair of hits today for the Kingsmen was designated hitter Kyle Sanchez who went 2-for-4. After entering as a defensive replacement, Nick Cohan drew a leadoff walk, the only one issued by PLU pitchers, in the eighth inning and stole the only base of the day.
Pacific Lutheran (13-9) starter Trevor Lubking (4-1) was tagged with his first loss of the spring after going 7.0 innings, striking out 11. AJ Konopaski came in for the eighth.
Cal Lutheran (17-5) returns to Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action tomorrow afternoon, March 28, when the Kingsmen host Caltech for a single game beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Box Score: CLU 3, PLU 0
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