RIVERSIDE – California Baptist University baseball swept its second-straight Western Athletic Conference series with a 10-1 win over Seattle U on Sunday. It moves the Lancers into a tie for second place in the WAC's West Division standings.
Mitchel Simon had himself a game, as he went 3-for-5 with two home runs, including a grand slam. He finished with a career-high six runs batted in and three more scored. It was one off CBU's NCAA-era record for RBI in a game.
Harrison Spohn and
Chad Castillo each had two-hit games and an RBI, as well.
CBU improves to 19-7 overall and 8-4 in WAC play to move into a second-place tie in the West Division with Dixie State. Seattle U falls to 7-17 and 5-7 in the WAC after coming into the week tied for third with the Lancers in the West.
Drew Necochea turned in another quality start for CBU, as he went six strong in his third-straight outing. He gave up just one run on seven hits, two walks and struck out four over six innings.
Liam Rocha was sharp out of the bullpen and kept his spotless ERA intact. He gave up just one hit and struck out two over two innings.
Joseph Romero threw a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth to close out the game on the mound.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
CBU scored the first five runs of the game over the opening four innings. Simon started things off with a two-run homer in the second. The Lancers made it 3-0 in the third after a
David Martin double, singles from Spohn, Castillo and an RBI grounder from
Jake Skipworth. Spohn and Castillo each hit RBI singles in the fourth to make it 5-0.
Seattle U got on the board in the fifth but CBU match it with another run in the fifth. The Lancers loaded the bases with no outs after singles from Simon,
CJ Masciel and a pinch-hit walk to
Garret Ostrander and Martin drove in a run with a grounder. Simon then blasted his grand slam in the sixth to give CBU a 10-1 cushion.
There was more great defense from the Lancers on Sunday. Ostrander made a great diving catch to help save a run in the sixth.
Spohn made two great web-gem worthy plays in the third inning.
UP NEXT
Next week, CBU will play four non-conference games starting when it hosts CSU Bakersfield for the second time this season on Tuesday, April 5, at 6 pm. The Lancers will then play a three-game set at Air Force Friday, April 8 through Sunday, April 10.
