Robinson Saves the Day

Wednesday, March 23

Kaneohe, Hawaii

7:00 PM

California Baptist University

22-6, 12-2

Hawaii Pacific

16-8, 8-6

Cal Baptist Univ.

Hawaii Pacific Univ.

3/24/2016 8:27:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

KANEOHE, Hawaii – For the first time in two years, California Baptist University won 10-straight games this season. Well, as they say, all good things must come to an end.

Hawaii Pacific became the first team to defeat the Lancers since March 4th, with a 4-3 win in 10 innings, to start Wednesday's PacWest doubleheader. CBU was not about to wallow, rebounding to split the day's doubleheader with a 5-4 victory to end the night.

CBU takes a 23-6, 13-2 in conference record into Thursday's series finale at Hans L'Orange Park at 9 p.m. PDT. HPU moves to 16-9, 8-7 this year.

Brody Robinson was the hero for CBU. The Lancers' left-handed reliever came on in the final inning of the day's finale with a one-run lead, two runners on base and just one out. Robinson held on to his team's victory for good, striking out the first batter he faced and then getting a groundout to quite literally save the game.

It backed up a strong start from Jeremy McDonald, who allowed just one hit, three walks and two runs over six innings, while striking out eight.

Stephen Lohr, A.J. David, Mark Sanchez and Zack Norris all batted .400 or better Wednesday. Lohr was 4-for-7 with three doubles, two runs batted in and a run scored. David was 2-for-4 with a double, run and three walks. Sanchez went 3-for-7 with two doubles, two RBI and another run scored. Norris was 2-for-5 with a run.

In both games Wednesday, CBU trailed the Sharks and each time the Lancers came back. Hawaii Pacific took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning of the nightcap, but the Lancers used the deficit as fuel.

Sanchez sparked a three-run fifth with a one-out double down the left field line. A Jake Gallaway walk put two runners on, but a pop-up gave HPU two outs. Things escalated on a wild pitch and error, and Lohr capitalized on a chance he otherwise would not have had with a two-run double in the gap to give CBU a 3-1 edge.

Hawaii Pacific chipped away with a run in the fifth, but the Lancers added two more runs in the sixth, which started with consecutive walks and an error. A hit by pitch loaded the bases for Tyler Johnson, who scored CBU's final run with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly.

The 5-2 lead was far from comfortable, with how close the series had been so far. HPU would put the pressure on in the final inning, with a walk, two hit by pitches and a balk bringing the winning run to the plate with one out, but Robinson came through in a pinch.

CBU had to come back in Wednesday's opener, as well, after Hawaii Pacific put up the first two runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Lancers battled back to take the lead in the sixth.

It started in the fourth, though, as Lohr set up Johnson for a sacrifice fly with a one-out double to center. A David single put runners at the corners with one out. Johnson then sacrificed a fly ball into center to score Lohr from third.

A two-out rally in the sixth gave CBU a 3-2 lead, starting with a David double. Johnson walked to keep the rally going, before Sanchez put the Lancers in front with a two-run double into right field.

HPU did not let up and scored a run in the seventh, and then kept CBU from crossing the plate to take the game into extra innings.

It appeared the Lancers were in position to take the lead again in the top half of the 10th. Lohr, once again, started a threat with a one-out double to begin the 10th. He moved to third on a wild pitch, and a walk to David put two runners on with one out. Michael Mora, who replaced David at first, stole second to increase the pressure on the Sharks.

HPU came up with a strikeout, but Sanchez looked to move CBU closer to a win. With two outs, the junior sent a pitch back up the middle and then sprinted to first. The second baseman made a great play and fired a throw to first. On a bang-bang play, the umpire ruled Sanchez was out to keep the game even.