ANTHEM, Ariz. - A mistake-filled sixth inning proved costly for the Cal Lutheran baseball team, as the Kingsmen fell to Pacific Lutheran (WA) 5-2 in their second game of four at the Arizona Desert Classic on Friday afternoon.
Box Score: PLU 5, CLU 2 - F
Trailing by one in the top of the sixth, the Kingsmen allowed four unearned runs to the designated visiting Lutes, committing four errors in the process. A missed double play opportunity by relief pitcher Byron Minnich started the landslide by PLU.
CLU did have a chance to capitalize late in the game trailing 5-2. In the bottom of the eighth inning with the bases loaded and two outs, senior K.C. Judge went down swinging to end the threat. It would be the final chance to extend his hit streak which ended at 18 games following Friday.
The Kingsmen were unable to take advantage of a strong start from pitcher Ian Durham. The senior tossed five quality innings, striking out four batters and allowing only one earned run. However, it was Durham who put the first two batters on base in the deciding sixth frame.
Tyler Hebda made his collegiate debut pitching a perfect ninth to close out the top half of the inning.
Senior Richard Michelin had a solid day at the plate going 2-for-4 with a double and drove in the first run for the Kingsmen. Cal Lutheran totaled six hits on the day with Michelin, Danny Gallinot and Iggy Wagner providing two apiece.
The Lutes were the first team to solve sophomore Nick Boggan who went 0-for-3 at the dish on Friday. Boggan had been off to a torrid start to the season hitting .818 on the season heading into today.
The Lutes have used a big inning to defeat the Kingsmen their past two meetings, including a nine-run ninth inning last year during a 10-2 win at the 2010 Arizona Desert Classic.
Cal Lutheran (1-3) take on Linfield (OR) tomorrow and Whitman (WA) on Sunday, with both games scheduled to start at 10 a.m.