ANTHEM, Ariz. - Spotting its opponents a five-run first inning cushion was too much to overcome as the Cal Lutheran baseball team began its four-game, four-day Arizona Desert Classic schedule on Thursday afternoon with a 10-6 loss to George Fox (OR).
Box Score: GFU 10, CLU 6 - F
The Bruins opened their season against the Kingsmen and the bats were ready tagging CLU starter Spencer Trygg for six runs (four earned) in 1+ innings of work. With Cal Lutheran playing four straight days not only did the team fall behind on the scoreboard, but will likely need some quality starts from the remainder of the rotation the rest of the way.
As the designated visiting squad, Nick Boggan was one of the top performers going 3-for-4 with a double and scored two of the team's six runs. His team leading .818 batting average dropped from the prior mark of .857 heading into the day.
Teammate Brandyn Delgado had a productive day at the plate going 3-for-5 and two RBI in the loss. Both he and Boggan hit over .380 last season and are off to hot starts in 2011.
CLU newcomer Chris Park bounced back from his Kingsmen debut on Jan. 29 by not allowing an earned run in 2.1 innings of work, notching five of the seven outs via strikeout. Freshman teammate Aaron Roth made his collegiate debut, and returner Jordan Cox combined to allow two runs in 4.2 innings of relief.
George Fox ends a two-game, two-year skid against Cal Lutheran and avenges a 13-3 loss handed to them by the Kingsmen in 2010.
Cal Lutheran (1-2) will take on Pacific Lutheran on Friday, Feb. 11. The Kingsmen will play their remaining three games at 10 a.m. against PLU, Linfield and Whitman, respectively.