RIVERSIDE--- Lancers faced Utah Tech to begin the weekend Western Athletic Conference series on Friday afternoon. California Baptist earned their first conference shutout with a 4-0 win against UTU after an excellent pitching outing, where they only allowed three hits and improved their record to 6-4 in the WAC.

CBU struck first in the 49th all-time meeting for the squads after getting on base off a single home run from Cole Howarth to left center. Michael Carpentier would add to the lead with a two-run shot over the right side in the third inning. The Lancers led the WAC conference in home runs at 34 prior to this evening's game, extending their lead to 36 on the year.
 

The Trailblazers put two runners on first and second in the sixth inning, but Spencer Bengard shut down their offensive efforts with a well-timed strikeout to end the inning. The junior finished his time on the mound with seven strikeouts in seven innings and only allowed two hits to secure his second win of the season. The Lancers tallied another run off a sacrifice fly from Mitchel Simon that brought home Connor McGuire to put CBU ahead by four.
 

Howarth collects three hits in the designated hitter spot including a home run and an RBI against UTU, while Julian Alvarez secured a double in his two hits against the Utah Tech pitching staff. Ryan Delgado rounded out the night from the mound with four strikeouts and only one hit in his twelfth appearance for the Lancers.

California Baptist returns to Totman Stadium on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. for the second contest of the WAC series versus the Trailblazers.