Lancers Open Crosstown Showdown In Front of Record Crowd

Friday, February 21

Riverside, Calif.

6:00 PM

California Baptist University

1-4

UC Riverside

1-4

UC Riverside

California Baptist

Photo by: Danielle Lutjens

Lancers Open Crosstown Showdown In Front of Record Crowd

2/21/2020 9:46:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Andrew Shortall, Director of Athletics Communications

RIVERSIDE – A record 1,240 fans packed Totman Stadium for the home opener and first game of the Crosstown Showdown between California Baptist University and UC Riverside on Friday night.

💥 1,240 FANS TONIGHT 💥

Thank you Lancer Nation for your unbelievable support! You smashed the previous single-game attendance record at Totman Stadium! #LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/MS0NEY5PfF
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) February 22, 2020

It shattered the previous record of 820 fans who came out to the Lancers' home opener against CSU Dominguez Hills on Feb. 9, 2018. The Highlanders came away with the 7-4 victory, despite a late push from the Lancers, as both teams move to 1-4 on the year.

😮 WOW 😮

Thank you, Riverside, for showing out. Our attendance of 1,240 tonight is a Totman Stadium record by more than 400❗#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/KrQ1iZeGFZ
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) February 22, 2020

Despite trailing 7-2 going into the ninth, there was no quit from the Lancers, who brought the tying run onto the on-deck circle in the bottom of the ninth. John Glenn provided the big hit of the game for CBU, with a two-run single in his final at-bat.

"We're NOT done yet." - John Glenn#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/ghVNlhtpux
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) February 22, 2020

Glenn continues to tear the cover off the ball, hitting .409 on the year after his two-hit, two-RBI performance Friday. It gives Glenn 199 hits in career, as he is poised to become the 12^th Lancer and fourth in the NCAA era to eclipse 200 hits in his career.

🔌 POWER 🔌

Harrison Spohn doubles to the fence for his first hit of the game.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/lbhI0YlJ37
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) February 22, 2020

Chad Castillo scored twice, while Harrison Spohn doubled in the game and Andrew Jurado singled, as well. True freshmen David Martin and Joseph Lomeli also had the first hits of their career on the night.

Hit #⃣1⃣ of many.

Congratulations to true freshman David Martin on the first hit of your career. #LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/RTJrfnxQzI
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) February 22, 2020

The Lancers and Highlanders will continue their series at the Riverside Sports Complex on Saturday at 6 p.m. and then wrap back up at Totman Stadium on Sunday at 5 p.m. The two will play a fourth game this season at UC Riverside on Tuesday, April 28^th at 6 p.m.

CBU found ways to get on base, but were one big hit away from turning the game around, as the team left a total of 10 runners on base on the night. Two big innings were the difference for UCR, as it scored all seven runs in just two frames.

An error and three-run homer staked UCR to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Lancers got on the board in the bottom of the second. Nick Plaia and Andrew Jurado got things started with a one-out walk and single.

Lomeli then showed a great two-strike approach to crush a single up the middle for his first career hit and RBI.

First hit ✔️
First RBI ✔️

Joseph Lomeli doing big things in his first career game/start.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/snM4kuHGke
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) February 22, 2020

Three walks and a hit helped the Lancers pull within one, 3-2, in the bottom of the third. Castillo and Glenn started the inning with a leadoff walk and single, but the next two Lancers were retired. CBU was determined not to come up empty handed, as Plaia drew a full-count walk to load the bases and Jurado coaxed a five-pitch walk to score Castillo.

🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️

Andrew Jurado makes it a one-run game with a bases-loaded walk.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/lFNCBIWIzR
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) February 22, 2020

The Highlanders created some separation with a four-run fifth to go up 7-2. The Lancers' bullpen managed to shut down UCR from there, as Jacob McCarvel and Jorge Valerio combined to throw 4.1 scoreless innings down the stretch. McCarvel gave up two hits and struck out three over 2.1 innings, while Valerio allowed two walks and struck out three over two innings.

There were several highlight plays on defense Friday. Jurado and Spohn teamed up to catch a Highlander trying to steal second in the third. Spohn saved a run by cutting down a runner coming home in the sixth. Castillo had the best of them all, as he ran down a fading liner for an impressive diving catch in the fourth.

🚨 WEB GEM 🚨

Chad Castillo submits his bid for the @WACsports Top Play of the Week.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/4IsVy5B7fa
— CBU Baseball (@CBUbaseball) February 22, 2020