ANTHEM, Ariz. - A 10-run fifth inning highlighted Cal Lutheran baseball's opening day at the Arizona Desert Classic on Thursday afternoon. The Kingsmen went on to pitch a shutout in defeating Sul Ross State 18-0.

Box Score: CLU 18, SRSU 0 - F

DeLorenzo provided the game-winning hit to lead off when he led off the second inning with his first homer of the year. Garrett Smith collected his first of a game-high four RBI in the frame, and Dominick Solley brought home two Kingsmen to put CLU up 4-0.

It was the calm before the storm as Cal Lutheran exploded for 10 runs in the fifth. Six of the runs came courtesy of Mike Vinyard and Nick Boggan.

Vinyard belted a three-run homer early in the rally to put the Kingsmen up 9-0. Boggan appeared at the plate twice going 2-for-2 with an RBI-double and a two-run blast that capped off the scoring surge.

Cal Lutheran tacked on four more runs in the eighth inning with three runners forced home on bases loaded walks. The Kingsmen drew eight walks in a single game for the second time this season following Thursday's win.

Meanwhile Kingsmen starting pitcher Peter Ciaramitaro breezed through seven innings to pick up his first win of the season. He preserved the shutout after stranding Dakota Dill on third base despite giving up a fourth inning leadoff double.

The Lobos got collected two of their six base hits in the seventh. Andy Silcox connected for his team-high second hit of the game but was later out on the front end during one of two double plays turned by Cal Lutheran.

CLU pitcher Chris Park closed out the final two innings and maintained his scoreless earned run average through 5.1 innings of relief this season.

Cal Lutheran (5-1) will take on Concordia (7-1) of Texas at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17. It will be the second of four games over four days during the Arizona Desert Classic. The Tornados defeated Whitman 4-1 to open their schedule.