THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The first game of the final series of Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action belonged to the Cal Lutheran baseball team as the Kingsmen triumphed over La Verne with an 11-2 victory this afternoon at George "Sparky" Anderson Field inside of Ullman Stadium.
In his third career start, Sinjin Todd went 4-for-4 with four runs and two RBIs and senior southpaw Jake Petersen (6-2) threw 7.0 innings, striking out six, while helping his own cause by going 3-for-6 at the plate with a homerun, two singles, and a pair of both of runs and RBIs. Ramsey Abushahla, Davey Casciola and Collin Crowl had two hits apiece today as well.
CLU jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead on back-to-back homeruns from Petersenand Abushahla. The first popped off Petersen's bat for a two-run bomb to right field in the bottom of the first inning, which scored Toddafter the freshman led the game off with a single, and Abushahlafollowed suit with a line-drive over the left field wall.
The Kingsmen scored once in each the fourth, fifth and sixth and tacked on three more on a Collin Crowl bases-clearing double down the right field line in the seventh in response to a two-run top of the inning from La Verne Again, CLU put up a crooked number in the eighth with two more insurance runs.
Petersen faced just three batters over the minimum through six, but in the seventh the Leopards strung together three hits for a pair of runs. Catcher Joe Winterburn started the inning with a double to centerfield and he scored on a single from Ben White. A single from pinch hitter George Holla scored White, but that was all the offense that Cal Lutheran would surrender.
Petersen handed the ball to Trey Saito who worked the eighth and Connor Sipes took the ball in the ninth as each scattered two hits without allowing a run.
The Kingsmen had ample opportunities to add to their lead, but left the bases loaded in both the second and third innings and ultimately stranded 13 men.
Nicho DellaValle drove in Todd with the final run of the game on a triple to right centerfield, pushing his career tally to 10. The senior shortstop reached base four times today, by way of a catcher's interference, a fielder's choice and a walk prior to the three-bagger. Spencer DuBois also earned his way onto the bags three times, being hit by a pitch, drawing a walk and doubling to right centerfield in the seventh. Abushahla worked a pair of walks and ran the bases four times.
La Verne (15-17, 11-10 SCIAC) eventually found a rhythm at the plate and collected a combined 10 hits. Leading the way for the Leos were Pedro Espinoza with a 3-for-4 day and Winterburn who was 2-for-4 as each notched a double. Starting and being tagged with the loss was Phil Schick (2-6) after allowing nine runs on 13 hits and five walks in 7.0 innings. He also struck out six.
Cal Lutheran (25-8, 16-6) will travel to La Verne tomorrow, Saturday, April 19, to play a pair beginning at 11:00 a.m. The Kingsmen will visit the Campus West facility that opened earlier this spring for the first time. Location of the field is 1837 Wheeler Avenue, La Verne, CA 91750.
Box Score: CLU 11, LV 2
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