THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Cal Lutheran concluded its back-to-back doubleheader days on Saturday opening with a 7-4 victory over Rutgers-Newark. However the Kingsmen suffered their first loss in 12 games while Ithaca's 7-3 win over Cal Lutheran ended its six game losing skid.

Box Score: CLU 7, RNU 4 - F
Box Score: IC 7, CLU 3 - F

Cal Lutheran 7, Rutgers-Newark 4 - F
After surrendering two first inning runs Cal Lutheran scored three of its own and would lead the rest of the way. A pair of timely two-run singles by Brandyn Delgado in the first inning which gave CLU a 3-2 and another in the seventh pushing the Kingsmen margin to 7-4.

Delgado was the difference maker going 2-for-3 on the day with four RBI and a stolen base. He also provided solid defense at first base, switching from his usual corner outfield spot.

Following a top-half of the third featuring three straight solid defensive plays, including a pair by Nick Boggan the third baseman came up in the bottom half and smashed a two-run home run. The blast scored Iggy Wagner who himself went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored twice.

It was a routine game for the CLU pitching rotation with Peter Ciaramitaro going 6.1 innings for his fourth win of the year. The junior hurler struck out five on the day and is now 4-2 on the season.

He gave way to setup man Spencer Trygg who stranded a couple of runners on base in the seventh and closed out the eighth inning to earn the hold. Closer Byron Minnich appeared in the ninth and following a leadoff single he mowed down the next three Scarlet Raiders in order including a strike out to end it and earn his fifth save of the season.

The win secured a measure of revenge for the Kingsmen, who were beaten handily by the Scarlet Raiders in both games of last year's matchup, and had won four straight in the series until today's contest.

Ithaca 7, Cal Lutheran 3 - F
Trailing by four with the bases loaded, one out and a full count with Boggan at the plate a questionable non-foul call led to an inning ending double play. It was the final serious threat the Kingsmen would have to extend the game and possibly their win streak to 12.

Cal Lutheran had won 11 straight and Ithaca on the losing end of six in a row with both colliding on Saturday afternoon. The Kingsmen struck their first, and only blow of the game scoring three fourth inning runs. CLU's Danny Gallinot was the main contributor with a two-run double off of IC starting pitcher Dan Lynch.

However a line out double play ended any more damage on the ensuing at bat halted the rally. Lynch would retire the following nine batters in order to go seven innings on just 79 pitches and allow only three total hits in the process.

As the designated home team the Bombers were true to their name after surrendering a 3-0 lead when David Ahonen took the 1-1 offering over the left field wall to put Ithaca on the scoreboard. IC connected for six hits in the frame including run-scoring base hits from Matt Striech, Mike Preite and Tim Locastro.

Ahonen, Trevor Wolf, Teagen Barresi, Streich and Preite all went 2-for-4 and contributed 10 of the team's 13 total hits. K.C. Judge was the only Kingsmen with multiple hits in the contest.

Bombers reliever Tucker Healy needed 51 pitches to finish the final two innings but was fortunate that was all after arguably CLU's most productive offensive player came to the plate.

Cal Lutheran (15-7) will return to conference play on Friday, Feb. 25 when it hosts La Verne. The Kingsmen will then head to Leopard territory for a Saturday doubleheader on Feb. 26.