THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Cal Lutheran baseball team took down the Whitworth Pirates in both doubleheader games On Saturday afternoon. The Kingsmen won the first game 11-2 and the second game 7-6. These wins bring Cal Lutheran's overall record to 3-2. 

Interview with Kyle Reuser and Clay Rickerman

Game One

Chris Torres opened the game and faced 25 batters. He pitched for the first six innings, only allowing seven hits and two runs. He recorded four strikeouts, one walk and got the win. 

The Kingsmen scored first with a sacrifice play at the bottom of the first by Max Heverly, bringing Zach Lafata home. The Pirates quickly retaliated and took the lead by the top of the third, 2-1. 

The Kingsmen fought back. In the bottom of the fourth, Joseph Scalzo hit a home run, scoring Brendan Durfee and Heverly. Jalen Parks quickly followed with his own score, bringing the Kingsmen's lead to 5-2. 

Their momentum continued as Sean Blandino, Lafata, Scalzo, Parks, Kyle Reuser, and Heverly all scored again. The Kingsmen took the game by the bottom of the sixth inning, 2-11. 

Dean Olsen took over the mound for the seventh and eighth innings. He allowed two hits and got one strikeout. Gregory Pimentel took the final inning and allowed one hit and had one strikeout.

Game Two

John Frazier started the second game on the mound. He pitched for 5 innings and faced 25 batters. He allowed six hits and five runs. He also had four walks and three strikeouts. 

The Pirates were the first to score as they got an RBI at the top of the first. Heverly quickly tied the game as he brought Lafata home. The Pirates quickly found their momentum as they carried the lead to 4-1 by the top of the fourth. 

The Kingsmen quickly closed the distance as Josh Quinn hit a single, bringing Scalzo and Durfee home. The Pirates retaliated as they scored once more at the top of the fifth, 5-3. 

Bryan Tierney relieved Frazier from pitching, as he took over for 1.2 innings. He faced seven batters, allowing one hit, one run and got two strikeouts. 

The Pirates increased their lead in the top of the seventh inning with a double, 6-3. The Kingsmen closed the distance in the seventh inning. Down 6-5, Resuer delivered what would be the game-winning two-run homerun, and Cal Lutheran took the lead 7-6. 

Clay Rickerman stepped up as the final pitcher for the last 2.1 innings. He didn't allow a single hit or run as he got the win. With no errors, no walks, and one strikeout, Cal Lutheran took the second game. 

The Kingsmen next game will be against the Pirates on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 11 a.m. It is the last game in the series. 

Box Score: CLU 11, WU 2; CLU 7, WU 6

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