THOUSAND OAKS – A.J. Libunao (Huntington Beach) drove in Victor Munoz (La Verne) and Jonathan Wong (Grizzly Flats) with a two-run single, tying the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth inning.
But Cal Lutheran (10-5-1, 7-3 SCIAC) countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth and the Occidental College baseball team had its nine-game winning streak snapped at Cal Lutheran 5-3 in the first of a three-game series with the Kingsmen this weekend.
Garret Smith had the big hit for the Kingsmen, a two-run double down the right field line that brought home John Leal and Mike Vinyard.
The Tigers went down 1-2-3 in the ninth.
The loss means Oxy (15-3, 7-3 SCIAC) is now tied with Cal Lutheran for first place in the SCIAC standings and that tomorrow's doubleheader at Anderson Field will be especially important.
Riley Smith (Bellevue, Wash.) drove in Oxy's first run in the first, scoring Johnathan Brooks (Huntington Beach) with a single to center.
Cal Lu scored one run in the first, second and third innings.
Oxy starter Joseph Kling (Kirksville, Mo.) pitched his way out of jams and had a solid outing, giving up three earned runs in seven innings pitched.
The Tigers got eight hits, but committed three errors in the infield.
The second game of the series and first of Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m.