Cal Lutheran became
back-to-back SCIAC postseason tournament champions with a 7-2
victory over Chapman. Cal Lutheran athletics photo by Tracy Maple |
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – With an NCAA Division III berth on
the line on the final day of the Second Annual Southern California
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Baseball Post Season
Tournament hosted at George “Sparky” Anderson Field
inside of Ullman Stadium the home Kingsmen punched their second
consecutive ticket to the tournament by defeating Chapman 7-2 this
afternoon.
In a win-and-you’re-in scenario, the teams had energy and
exhibited excitement early both on the field and in the stands. Cal
Lutheran seized control in the first inning and maintained the
momentum throughout behind a complete performance, offensively,
defensively and on the hill. The Kingsmen combined for 10 hits and
did not commit an error as the pitching staff limited the Panthers
to a pair of runs on six hits.
A three-run first inning for CLU set the tone and when Aaron Roth
threw a two-out, 3-2 fastball for a ground ball to Davey Casciola
who fired across the diamond to Collin Crowl the Kingsmen dugout
emptied and a dog pile took form between the mound and first
base.
At the beginning of the game CU leadoff man Andrew Carabajal drew
a walk and worked his way around to third on a sacrifice and a
stolen base, but Kingsmen starter Scott Peters worked out of the
jam, fielding a comebacker and forcing a line drive at Ramsey
Abushahla to end the first inning threat.
The Kingsmen came to the plate and batted around, capitalizing on
unruly pitching and a miscue by plating three runs. Chapman starter
Taber Watson threw a first-pitch strike, but struggled to find a
the plate with his next eight pitches out of the zone, allowing
Justin Caña to walk while Nicho DellaValle was hit by a
pitch. Jake Petersen singled to load the bases and a
fielder’s choice cut down Caña at the plate while
keeping three men on the pond for Collin Crowl who drove in the
first run of the game. With two men down, a throwing error aided
the CLU offense for another run and Craig Jacobson wore a pitch in
the left arm to drive in the third of the frame.
In the top of the second, DellaValle was part of all three
putouts. After another leadoff walk he and Jacobson cut down the
lead man on a fielder’s choice and Peters caught the runner
with a 1-3-6-1 pickoff for the second out before he cleanly fielded
a weak ground ball to shortstop for the final out.
Between the bottom of the second and top of fourth neither team
scored, though each would put runners on base during that span.
Peters retired the side in order in the third, with a pair of
ground balls to Casciola at third base sandwiching a swinging
strike out, and fourth with two ground balls and another punch
out.
CLU tacked on two more runs in the fourth on a two-RBI double off
the wall in right field from Abushahla that plated DellaValle and
Petersen who reached on a fielder’s choice and double, past a
great effort from a diving Carbajal in left, respectively.
In the top of the fifth, Connor Battaglia broke up the no-hitter
with a line drive homerun over the left field fence to put the
Panthers on the board. Peters retired the next there batters with
some help from his defense as Caña made a diving grab in
centerfield, Jacobson tracked down a foul ball near the CU dugout
and Petersen planted himself under a fly ball on the warning track
in left.
Chapman changed pitchers in the top of the fifth, bringing in
Braden Riddle, but the Kingsmen were undeterred, promptly
responding with another run on an RBI single up the middle from
DellaValle, which scored Jacobson who bunted for a hit. With the
bases loaded, Chapman would turn an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play
to squash the opportunity for CLU to add any more.
The visiting squad made some noise in the sixth. Carabajal
continued to produce for the Panthers with a single to center,
though Caña nearly came up with another diving catch. That
hit sparked the CU offense as the next two batters walked and after
Matt Gandy connected for what would have been a grand slam had it
stayed fair, settled for an RBI single that appeared to be an easy
fly ball out, which was lost in the sun, forcing Peters from the
mound.
Landry Kiyabu came in to get a 5-2-3 double play to end the inning
and keep the Kingsmen in front 6-2 after six.
In the top of the seventh, Tyler Cook started things with an
infield single that Casciola made a leaping stop on and nearly
converted into an out, but an errant throw was backed up by Spencer
DuBois keeping the ball out of the Chapman dugout and the runner at
first. Greg Dillon followed suit with a single to right and CLU
head coach Marty Slimak made the call to the bullpen, bringing in
Roth, the Kingsmen closer.
The threat was short lived as the senior hurler retired all three
men he faced and just one over the minimum in his 3.0 innings of
action. In the eighth he again retired the side in order and
surrendered a lone hit to Battaglia in the ninth, but forced a fly
out, foul fly out and the final ground ball to put the game in the
books. Roth was credited with the save, his 11th of the spring, and
Peters (6-3) earned the victory after going 5.1 innings, scattering
just three hits while striking out a pair.
Chapman (30-13) will await its fate with hopes still alive for an
NCAA Pool “C” bid to the Playoffs. Today for the
Panthers, Battaglia was the only player with more than one hit,
finishing with two. Watson (5-4) was tagged with the loss after
walking four and allowing five runs on five hits.
Cal Lutheran (34-8) is guaranteed a spot in the West Regional that
will be hosted at Linfield (Ore.) from May 14-18, though match-ups
are yet to be determined. The NCAA selection show will take place
on Sunday, May 11.
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – With an NCAA Division III berth on the line on the final day of the Second Annual Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Baseball Post Season Tournament hosted at George “Sparky” Anderson Field inside of Ullman Stadium the home Kingsmen punched their second consecutive ticket to the tournament by defeating Chapman 7-2 this afternoon.
In a win-and-you’re-in scenario, the teams had energy and exhibited excitement early both on the field and in the stands. Cal Lutheran seized control in the first inning and maintained the momentum throughout behind a complete performance, offensively, defensively and on the hill. The Kingsmen combined for 10 hits and did not commit an error as the pitching staff limited the Panthers to a pair of runs on six hits.
A three-run first inning for CLU set the tone and when Aaron Roth threw a two-out, 3-2 fastball for a ground ball to Davey Casciola who fired across the diamond to Collin Crowl the Kingsmen dugout emptied and a dog pile took form between the mound and first base.
At the beginning of the game CU leadoff man Andrew Carabajal drew a walk and worked his way around to third on a sacrifice and a stolen base, but Kingsmen starter Scott Peters worked out of the jam, fielding a comebacker and forcing a line drive at Ramsey Abushahla to end the first inning threat.
The Kingsmen came to the plate and batted around, capitalizing on unruly pitching and a miscue by plating three runs. Chapman starter Taber Watson threw a first-pitch strike, but struggled to find a the plate with his next eight pitches out of the zone, allowing Justin Caña to walk while Nicho DellaValle was hit by a pitch. Jake Petersen singled to load the bases and a fielder’s choice cut down Caña at the plate while keeping three men on the pond for Collin Crowl who drove in the first run of the game. With two men down, a throwing error aided the CLU offense for another run and Craig Jacobson wore a pitch in the left arm to drive in the third of the frame.
In the top of the second, DellaValle was part of all three putouts. After another leadoff walk he and Jacobson cut down the lead man on a fielder’s choice and Peters caught the runner with a 1-3-6-1 pickoff for the second out before he cleanly fielded a weak ground ball to shortstop for the final out.
Between the bottom of the second and top of fourth neither team scored, though each would put runners on base during that span. Peters retired the side in order in the third, with a pair of ground balls to Casciola at third base sandwiching a swinging strike out, and fourth with two ground balls and another punch out.
CLU tacked on two more runs in the fourth on a two-RBI double off the wall in right field from Abushahla that plated DellaValle and Petersen who reached on a fielder’s choice and double, past a great effort from a diving Carbajal in left, respectively.
In the top of the fifth, Connor Battaglia broke up the no-hitter with a line drive homerun over the left field fence to put the Panthers on the board. Peters retired the next there batters with some help from his defense as Caña made a diving grab in centerfield, Jacobson tracked down a foul ball near the CU dugout and Petersen planted himself under a fly ball on the warning track in left.
Chapman changed pitchers in the top of the fifth, bringing in Braden Riddle, but the Kingsmen were undeterred, promptly responding with another run on an RBI single up the middle from DellaValle, which scored Jacobson who bunted for a hit. With the bases loaded, Chapman would turn an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play to squash the opportunity for CLU to add any more.
The visiting squad made some noise in the sixth. Carabajal continued to produce for the Panthers with a single to center, though Caña nearly came up with another diving catch. That hit sparked the CU offense as the next two batters walked and after Matt Gandy connected for what would have been a grand slam had it stayed fair, settled for an RBI single that appeared to be an easy fly ball out, which was lost in the sun, forcing Peters from the mound.
Landry Kiyabu came in to get a 5-2-3 double play to end the inning and keep the Kingsmen in front 6-2 after six.
In the top of the seventh, Tyler Cook started things with an infield single that Casciola made a leaping stop on and nearly converted into an out, but an errant throw was backed up by Spencer DuBois keeping the ball out of the Chapman dugout and the runner at first. Greg Dillon followed suit with a single to right and CLU head coach Marty Slimak made the call to the bullpen, bringing in Roth, the Kingsmen closer.
The threat was short lived as the senior hurler retired all three men he faced and just one over the minimum in his 3.0 innings of action. In the eighth he again retired the side in order and surrendered a lone hit to Battaglia in the ninth, but forced a fly out, foul fly out and the final ground ball to put the game in the books. Roth was credited with the save, his 11th of the spring, and Peters (6-3) earned the victory after going 5.1 innings, scattering just three hits while striking out a pair.
Chapman (30-13) will await its fate with hopes still alive for an NCAA Pool “C” bid to the Playoffs. Today for the Panthers, Battaglia was the only player with more than one hit, finishing with two. Watson (5-4) was tagged with the loss after walking four and allowing five runs on five hits.
Cal Lutheran (34-8) is guaranteed a spot in the West Regional that will be hosted at Linfield (Ore.) from May 14-18, though match-ups are yet to be determined. The NCAA selection show will take place on Sunday, May 11.
- See more at: http://www.clusports.com/baseball/news/10675/#sthash.OkmwfEpp.dpufTHOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – With an NCAA Division III berth on the line on the final day of the Second Annual Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Baseball Post Season Tournament hosted at George “Sparky” Anderson Field inside of Ullman Stadium the home Kingsmen punched their second consecutive ticket to the tournament by defeating Chapman 7-2 this afternoon.
In a win-and-you’re-in scenario, the teams had energy and exhibited excitement early both on the field and in the stands. Cal Lutheran seized control in the first inning and maintained the momentum throughout behind a complete performance, offensively, defensively and on the hill. The Kingsmen combined for 10 hits and did not commit an error as the pitching staff limited the Panthers to a pair of runs on six hits.
A three-run first inning for CLU set the tone and when Aaron Roth threw a two-out, 3-2 fastball for a ground ball to Davey Casciola who fired across the diamond to Collin Crowl the Kingsmen dugout emptied and a dog pile took form between the mound and first base.
At the beginning of the game CU leadoff man Andrew Carabajal drew a walk and worked his way around to third on a sacrifice and a stolen base, but Kingsmen starter Scott Peters worked out of the jam, fielding a comebacker and forcing a line drive at Ramsey Abushahla to end the first inning threat.
The Kingsmen came to the plate and batted around, capitalizing on unruly pitching and a miscue by plating three runs. Chapman starter Taber Watson threw a first-pitch strike, but struggled to find a the plate with his next eight pitches out of the zone, allowing Justin Caña to walk while Nicho DellaValle was hit by a pitch. Jake Petersen singled to load the bases and a fielder’s choice cut down Caña at the plate while keeping three men on the pond for Collin Crowl who drove in the first run of the game. With two men down, a throwing error aided the CLU offense for another run and Craig Jacobson wore a pitch in the left arm to drive in the third of the frame.
In the top of the second, DellaValle was part of all three putouts. After another leadoff walk he and Jacobson cut down the lead man on a fielder’s choice and Peters caught the runner with a 1-3-6-1 pickoff for the second out before he cleanly fielded a weak ground ball to shortstop for the final out.
Between the bottom of the second and top of fourth neither team scored, though each would put runners on base during that span. Peters retired the side in order in the third, with a pair of ground balls to Casciola at third base sandwiching a swinging strike out, and fourth with two ground balls and another punch out.
CLU tacked on two more runs in the fourth on a two-RBI double off the wall in right field from Abushahla that plated DellaValle and Petersen who reached on a fielder’s choice and double, past a great effort from a diving Carbajal in left, respectively.
In the top of the fifth, Connor Battaglia broke up the no-hitter with a line drive homerun over the left field fence to put the Panthers on the board. Peters retired the next there batters with some help from his defense as Caña made a diving grab in centerfield, Jacobson tracked down a foul ball near the CU dugout and Petersen planted himself under a fly ball on the warning track in left.
Chapman changed pitchers in the top of the fifth, bringing in Braden Riddle, but the Kingsmen were undeterred, promptly responding with another run on an RBI single up the middle from DellaValle, which scored Jacobson who bunted for a hit. With the bases loaded, Chapman would turn an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play to squash the opportunity for CLU to add any more.
The visiting squad made some noise in the sixth. Carabajal continued to produce for the Panthers with a single to center, though Caña nearly came up with another diving catch. That hit sparked the CU offense as the next two batters walked and after Matt Gandy connected for what would have been a grand slam had it stayed fair, settled for an RBI single that appeared to be an easy fly ball out, which was lost in the sun, forcing Peters from the mound.
Landry Kiyabu came in to get a 5-2-3 double play to end the inning and keep the Kingsmen in front 6-2 after six.
In the top of the seventh, Tyler Cook started things with an infield single that Casciola made a leaping stop on and nearly converted into an out, but an errant throw was backed up by Spencer DuBois keeping the ball out of the Chapman dugout and the runner at first. Greg Dillon followed suit with a single to right and CLU head coach Marty Slimak made the call to the bullpen, bringing in Roth, the Kingsmen closer.
The threat was short lived as the senior hurler retired all three men he faced and just one over the minimum in his 3.0 innings of action. In the eighth he again retired the side in order and surrendered a lone hit to Battaglia in the ninth, but forced a fly out, foul fly out and the final ground ball to put the game in the books. Roth was credited with the save, his 11th of the spring, and Peters (6-3) earned the victory after going 5.1 innings, scattering just three hits while striking out a pair.
Chapman (30-13) will await its fate with hopes still alive for an NCAA Pool “C” bid to the Playoffs. Today for the Panthers, Battaglia was the only player with more than one hit, finishing with two. Watson (5-4) was tagged with the loss after walking four and allowing five runs on five hits.
Cal Lutheran (34-8) is guaranteed a spot in the West Regional that will be hosted at Linfield (Ore.) from May 14-18, though match-ups are yet to be determined. The NCAA selection show will take place on Sunday, May 11.
- See more at: http://www.clusports.com/baseball/news/10675/#sthash.OkmwfEpp.dpuf