PASADENA, Calif. – Behind a dominant outing from Max McGrady and a five-run eighth inning, the Cal Lutheran baseball team opened SCIAC play with an 8-0 shutout at Caltech on Friday afternoon.

In a game that remained scoreless through seven innings, McGrady was nothing short of electric. The right-hander carried the Kingsmen through eight shutout frames, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out 11. He needed only 90 pitches to carve through the Beavers' lineup, keeping Cal Lu within striking distance until the offense finally broke through.

After both teams traded zeros for much of the afternoon, the Kingsmen erupted in the top of the eighth.

Philip Jeong ignited the rally with a single before an Eric Gonzalez sacrifice bunt moved him into scoring position. With two outs and runners on, Daniel Orozco delivered the clutch swing of the day, ripping a two-run double to left center to plate Jeong and Kai Caranto for the game's first runs.

Lucas Danielewicz followed with a walk, setting the table for Troy Anderson, who laced a two-run double to center to double the advantage. Jona Dawson capped the five-run frame with an RBI single to right, pushing the lead to 5-0 and giving McGrady plenty of breathing room.

Cal Lutheran continued to add insurance in the ninth. Liam Keithley came around to score on a failed pickoff attempt before Orozco drove in another on a fielder's choice, with an additional run crossing on a throwing error to extend the margin to 8-0.

Orozco finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two doubles, while Anderson added two RBIs of his own. The Kingsmen tallied six hits on the day but made them count, capitalizing on timely swings and three Caltech errors.

Ryan Jung closed out the ninth to preserve the shutout, as the Kingsmen pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts and allowed just five total hits.

With the win, Cal Lutheran improves to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in SCIAC play.

The Kingsmen continue the series on Saturday, February 21 as Caltech travels to Thousand Oaks for a doubleheader at George "Sparky" Anderson Field. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 11 a.m.