Both Concordia-Irvine and The Master's swept, and Concordia has a one-game lead over The Master's, Vanguard, and Westmont in the Golden State Athletic Conference. Concordia defeated Arizona Christian 9-7, 4-3 (11 innings), and 11-5. The Firestorm led the first game 7-2 with a grand slam home run by DH Cody Rose in the top of the fifth, but the Eagles answered with six runs in the bottom of the fifth, and tied it with a two-run home run by C Neil Lawhorn. The Eagles leaded the bases again, and the winning run was walked in. Isaiah Terrazas got the win in relief. The second game was close all the way. Lawhorn drew a walk with two out in the bottom of the 11th, and was replaced by courtesy runner Ryan Land, who stole second, went to third on a throwing error, then scored on a passed ball. Starter Colin Orellana went 7 1/3 innings, allowed three runs on for hits. Nick Boyett got the win. The winning run in the third game came on a two-RBI double by RF Robert Shiroky. He got two more RBI with a triple earlier in the game, and had five RBI total. Starter Dillon Moran got the win. The Eagles also got a mid-week non-conference three-hit shutout over Bethesda, 6-0. Robbie Ingram went seven innings, allowed two hits, and RF Robert Shiroky and SS Spencer Nielsen hit home runs. The Eagles visit Biola Feb. 6-7, and La Sierra Feb. 8.
#5 Faulkner opened their season with two wins over LSU-Alexandria, 7-4 and 9-4, and another win over Northwood (FL), 4-2. 1B Jackson Webb hit a three-run home run in the first game; Victor Arche got the win. RF Nick Cain hit a two-run home run in the second game, and SS Edgar Figueroa hit a solo home run, had three RBI. C Cody Sos hit a home run for the winning run in the third game; starter Philip Anderson pitched six scoreless innings, allowed seven hits, struck out six. The Eagles host #8 Georgetown C. Feb. 6-7. Video
#6 Georgia Gwinnett won two of three against Blue Mountain, 19-7, 4-6, and 13-3. 3B Arsenio Watlington, of Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands and a transfer from Clarke, went 4-for-5 with a double and seven RBI in his debut with the Grizzlies; he reached base on every turn at bat. He also drew a walk and got hit by a pitch. Story RHP Jose Delmar of Maracaibo, Venezuela got the win in relief for the Toppers in the second game; he pitched the final 4 2/3 innings, allowed no runs on two hits, struck out six. Watlington went 4-for-6 with a double and two RBI in the third game. Sheldon Connor, who allowed no earned runs on six hits and struck out six, got the win. Story The Grizzlies host Talladega Feb. 6-7 (video).
#9 Missouri Baptist swept William Carey, 3-2 (9 innings, scheduled for 7), 9-1, and 11-8. CF Brian Poupore drew a bases-loaded walk in the top of the ninth for the winning run in the first game, and Marcus Crescentini struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth for the save. Brandon Zywicki got the win in the second game, pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowed four hits, struck out six. Story 1B Aaron Pangilian went 3-for-6 with five RBI in the third game. The Spartans will play in a tournament at Belhaven against #1 Cumberland, #12 Belhaven, and Culver-Stockton Feb. 5-7. Cumberland plays Culver-Stockton on the 6th, and Belhaven on the 7th. (video).
#2 Lewis-Clark State opens their season in a tournament at Concordia-Portland Feb. 6-8. Updated Feb. 5: The entire tournament was moved to Caldwell and Nampa, ID due to bad weather on the Pacific Northwest Coast. L-C State plays Division II Northwest Nazarene and Concordia-Portland on the 6th, #24 British Columbia on the 7th, and C. of Idaho on the 8th. #24 British Columbia plays Northwest Nazarene on the 6th, C. of Idaho on the 7th, and Concordia on the 8th. (video) The Warriors then go on a California tour, starting at San Diego Christian on Feb. 10.
#3 Oklahoma Wesleyan opens their season at Lyon Feb. 5-7. (video) #4 Oklahoma Baptist opens at home against York Feb. 6-7.