LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Coming into the 2015 season, California Baptist University Coach Gary Adcock spoke very highly of his team's new-look offense. While Lancer fans got a glimpse of that during Friday's home opener, it was on full display Saturday at Cal State L.A.
 
CBU had 23 hits and scored 16 to defeat the Golden Eagles in the rubber match of the three-game series, 16-1. The Lancers used an 11-run fifth to do most of the damage, as they sent 16 batters to the batter's box and had 12 hits – one from everyone in the lineup – in the frame.  

"We've been swinging the bat well all week, but today we wanted to string some at-bats together in order to produce more runs," Andrew Montoya said. "Our goal offensively was to have a better approach, using the entire field and to be more aggressive at the plate. I feel like the entire team was seeing the ball well today.

"Hopefully it stays that way throughout the season."
 
Montoya had a monster 5-for-6 performance for CBU, with three runs batted in, two scored and three extra base hits (two doubles and a home run). Brian Ruhm led the Lancers in RBIs, with five on the night, after hitting a grand slam that was just one of his four hits. Freshman Luke Navigato (double, RBI, stolen base) went 3-for-6 for CBU. Antonio Chavarria and Stephen Lohr (two RBIs, double) each had two hits for the Lancers, who received base hits from seven other players.

"They are fun to watch," CBU starting pitcher David Herd said after throwing five innings in which he allowed just three hits, one walk and no runs. "Hitting was contagious today, everyone is clicking. I'm glad I didn't have to face our lineup, they are tough." 
 
An RBI double from Ruhm gave CBU a 1-0 lead in the first, while RBI grounders from Lohr and Andy Crowley gave the Lancers a 3-0 lead in the third.
 
That alone would have been enough for Herd. The senior picked up the win by going five strong, allowing just three hits, one walk and striking out five. With the victory, Herd moves within eight wins of the program's career record.

"Today, I had control of my pitches, and a lot of offense helps make things a little easier," Herd said.
 
CBU's offense gave Herd an early exit with its 11-run output in the fifth. The Lancers started the inning with three-straight hits – a Ruhm single and RBI double and single, respectively, from Lohr and Navigato. The Golden Eagles retired the next two batters, but Montoya kept the pressure on with a solo homer after a sacrifice fly from Zack Norris.
 
A monster two-out rally ensued. The visitors loaded the bases with singles from Crowley, Chavarria and a walk to Nathan Antoun (double). Ruhm cleared the bases with his grand slam. A.J. David (RBI double), Norris and Montoya capped the scoring with run-scoring hits.
 
While the 14-0 lead was plenty, the Lancers got two more runs in the game. Montoya added to his game with an RBI double in the seventh and Taylor Wetzel blasted a solo shot in the eighth to end the scoring.
 
In addition to Herd, Austen Zimarik pitched two scoreless innings for CBU, allowing just one CSULA base runner on a hit. Crowley closed out the game on the mound, throwing a spotless inning for the Lancers.
 
CBU will look to keep its momentum going, as it faces another California Collegiate Atheltic Association opponent, Cal State Dominguez Hills, for a three-game set next week. The Lancers open and close the series as hosts on Thursday and Saturday at 6 p.m. and noon, respectively. They make the trip to Carson on Thursday for a 1 p.m. start.