ORANGE, Calif. — Luke Wechsler struck out seven in his complete game shutout performance, leading Cal Lutheran baseball to a 5-0 victory over Chapman on Friday afternoon.

The Kingsmen (27-11, 14-8 SCIAC) took a crucial 1-0 series lead against the Panthers (21-17, 12-10 SCIAC), as the winner of this weekend's three-game clinches their spot in the SCIAC playoffs. They are now just one win away from securing their fourth straight SCIAC playoff berth. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
While Wechsler (W) dominated on the mound, Kai Caranto had a huge day at the plate, driving in four of the Kingsmen's five runs. 

Caranto got the Kingsmen on the board in the very first inning with a sacrifice fly to score Alec Garcia. Caranto drove in Blake Wink with an RBI double in the third before tallying his third and fourth RBIs with two singles in the fifth and seventh innings. 

Up 4-0, Troy Anderson put the finishing touches on a great all-around team win with a solo homer to left center, his fifth of the season, a team-high. 

THE NUMBERS
- Wechsler (6-4): 9.0 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, HBP, 7 K
- Caranto: 3-3, 2B, 4 RBI
- Garcia: 3-5, 3 R, SB
- Anderson: 2-4, HR, R, RBI

UP NEXT
The Kingsmen will honor their graduating class on Senior Day tomorrow, Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.