ANTHEM, Calif. - Cal Lutheran plated two runs in the eighth inning but came up short in its comeback bid against No. 4 ranked Linfield. The Kingsmen fell 3-2 on Sunday splitting its four game schedule at the Arizona Desert Classic.

Box Score: LIN 3, CLU 2 - F

Cal Lutheran was on the short end of a fast paced pitcher's duel between Kingsmen starter John LaMoure and Linfield started Zach Manley. Both teams combined to total 11 base hits and one only for extra bases.

The Wildcats scored first mounting a two-out second inning rally. A walk and back-to-back singles from Kenny Johnson and Jesse Boustead plated the game's opening run.

Linfield remained hitless until Zach Boskovich led off the sixth inning with a home run over the left field wall. Kevin Allan collected the team's second two-out RBI of the game to close out the frame.

Manley exited after six innings allowing just four singles while striking out seven batters in his season debut. Following his departure the Kingsmen were able to get on the scoreboard in the eighth inning behind a pair of hits and a Wildcat error.

An errant first throw in attempting to turn a double play allowed Garrett Smith to score the first Kingsmen run of the game. A Trevor Koons RBI-single immediately followed and Cal Lutheran had the game-tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.

Following Saturday's clutch hitting exhibition Cal Lutheran nearly came up empty in its premium scoring chances. The Kingsmen went 1-for-10 in RBI opportunities and 0-for-10 with two outs.

Cal Lutheran put the game-tying run on base with one out in the ninth inning when Linfield's Garett Speyer took the mound. He retired the final two batters and ended the game with a strikeout to earn the save.

CLU's Iggy Wagner and Linfield's Zach Boskovich led their respective squads with two hits apiece.

Cal Lutheran (6-3) will return to conference action on the road Friday, Feb. 24, against Pomona-Pitzer.