Ruhm, Lancers Rob Sea Lions

Friday, March 31

San Diego, Calif.

3:00 PM

California Baptist University

22-10, 13-5

Point Loma

16-10, 8-6

Cal Baptist

Point Loma

Photo by: Andrew Shortall

Ruhm, Lancers Rob Sea Lions

3/31/2017 6:35:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

SAN DIEGO – One play proved to be the difference between victory and defeat for California Baptist University on Friday. It was provided by right fielder Brian Ruhm, who made a brilliant leaping catch on the warning track to steal a would-be, three-run homer in the eighth inning of a 4-3 road win over Point Loma.

"It was a big play at a big time, we play for moments like that," said Ruhm. "It's kind of surreal when you get an opportunity like that in a game, it's one of those plays you rarely see."

Point Loma had put itself in great position to take the lead in the seventh inning. Three singles made it a one-run game, 4-3, and put two Sea Lions on board with one out.

Ruhm made his amazing play two pitches later when it appeared PLNU had taken the lead with a deep fly clearly headed over the right-field fence. Ruhm had other ideas and brought the ball back to prevent the home run, record the second out and keep runners at the corners.

"We've been seeing the ball pushing out to right field all weekend, and already saw a couple home runs close to being robbed, so I knew it was possible," Ruhm said. "It was just about getting to the fence and jumping up, instead of into the fence.

"Off the bat, I knew it was going to be off the wall or I was going to have to jump for it. I was just focused on getting back to the wall and giving myself the best opportunity to get to it."

Friday was vital for the Lancers to win after they used six different pitchers in the game and saw both of the top-two teams in the PacWest drop a game. CBU improved to 22-10, 13-5 in conference and Point Loma dropped to 16-9, 8-5 on the year, while conference leaders Azusa Pacific (25-4, 12-3) and Dixie State (25-7, 14-4) also lost Thursday night or Friday afternoon.

Even after Ruhm's catch, CBU was far from in the clear. Right after the play, relief pitcher Andrew Bernstein ended the seventh with a strikeout to strand two and keep the Lancers ahead. In the eighth inning, Morgan Earman overcame a one-out single with a 4-6-3 double-play grounder.

A leadoff error in the bottom of the ninth provided yet another obstacle to overcome. An aggressive throw down to second base from catcher Bryce Macy turned a sacrifice bunt into the first out of the final inning. Closer Brody Robinson struck out the next batter on a full count and got the final out on a grounder to third.

"Our pitching was nails, our bullpen came through for us today, which was huge, and that's what helps good teams win," Ruhm said.

The Lancers' offense started hot and jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the game. Andrew Bash batted 3-for-4 on the day, while Luke Navigato went 2-for-4 after going 4-for-4 the day before. Macy, Ruhm, Ryan Williams, DJ Porter (run batted in) and Nick Plaia (RBI) also logged hits in the game.

CBU scored in each of the first three innings, and Navigato got things started in the first inning with a solo home run. Two batters later, Williams sent one out of the park in the same area as Navigato's in right center field to make it 2-0.

One-out singles from Ruhm and Bash set up an RBI groundout from Plaia to make it 3-0 in the second. A mini two-out rally consisting of a walk to Williams and RBI double from Porter upped the Lancers' advantage to 4-0 in the third.

CBU's defense took over the rest of the way and secured the win going into Saturday's series-ending, nine-and-seven-inning doubleheader starting at noon.