THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Just 24 hours removed from closing out non-conference play, the Cal Lutheran baseball team was back in action on George "Sparky" Anderson Field where the Kingsmen slid past the Poets from Whittier, 3-2, in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) single game to open the three-game series.
The tone was set early in a well-played game as starting pitcher Trey Saito retired the side in order in the top of the first thanks the infield flashing its leather, highlighted by a phenomenal leaping catch by Chad Clark on a line drive to second base for the second out.
Whittier centerfielder Tanner Marcoe returned the flash of excellence with a diving catch in right centerfield for the final out of the first frame.
The teams both remained at bay until the Poets executed a hit-and-run to get runners at the corners with one out in the top of the fifth. Aided by a CLU error, the visiting squad pushed across a pair of runs to take a 2-0 lead.
CLU chipped away with a pair of solo homeruns. C. Clark connected for the first in the bottom of the sixth and Gabe Gunter cleared the centerfield fence in the seventh to knot the teams at 2-2.
An inning later, Max Price was hit by a pitch and advanced 90 feet on a passed ball. He dove into the plate, scoring the go-ahead and ultimate winning run, on an RBI single to right from C. Clark.
Landry Kiyabu took the ball in the ninth to close the door and earn his third save of the spring. Nate Wehner worked two thirds of an inning to get the win while striking out one. Kiyabu also struck out one batter.
Overall, CLU collected just seven hits and both Justin Caña and Weston Clark drew walks.
The Poets looked to Marcoe for a 2-for-3 day at the plate with a run while Brandon Mulrooney was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Freshman Tim Turpen (0-3) was tagged with the loss after throwing a complete game.
Cal Lutheran (16-8, 10-3 SCIAC) and Whittier (7-17, 4-9) resume play tomorrow at Memorial Field for two beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Box Score: CLU 3, WC 2
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