Cal State-San Marcos initiated their on-campus ballpark with an 8-7 win over Vanguard on Friday. The Cougars and Lions split a double-header at Vanguard on Saturday; the Lions won the first game 2-1, and the Cougars won the nightcap 7-2.
Friday's game drew a crowd of 787. They saw the Cougars trailing 7-4 going into the bottom of the ninth. They got a run on a passed ball, followed by a two-RBI single by LF Anthony Renteria to tie it. Courtesy runner Cory McCloskey scored the winning run on a single by SS Johnny Omahen. Mitch Ferguson, who pitched two perfect innings for the Cougars, got the win in relief; Mike Leal got the loss. Omahen hit a home run earlier in the game. Story from CSUSM site: Omahen, Holtman, Cougar Fans All Heroes in Thrilling Debut Win at CSUSM Baseball Field
In Saturday's first game, Lions starter Antonio Peraza went 7 2/3 innings, struck out ten, allowed one run. Cougars starter Matt Kretchmer went 7 1/3 innings, allowed only one hit, and the only run scored on him was unearned. The Lions won it in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI single by 1B Kyle Hardman. Robert Purpura, who retired all four batters he faced, got the win; Kyle Smart got the loss.
In the second game, the Cougars got a complete seven-inning game from Brett Miller, who allowed one earned run on six hits. The winning run came on the fourth inning on a two-RBI double by DH Mike Mecucci. The Lions left the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. Starter Gabriel Garcia got the loss. Story from CSUSM site: Kretchmer, Miller Both Outstanding in Road Split with Vanguard
The Lions visit Cal State-East Bay Feb. 4-5. The Cougars host Point Loma Nazarene on Tuesday, then play San Diego Christian away and home Feb. 4-5.
Cal Baptist swept three games against Simpson on Thursday and Friday, with scores of 10-2, 17-0. and 12-0. Jesse Arreola and Eric Wallace combined for the first shutout, and Devyn Rivera and Travis Barnes combined for the second one. 2B Eric Zaragosa got six hits in ten at-bats in the series. Simpson's pitching was depleted by two losses to Azusa Pacific earlier in the week. The Lancers host Cal State-San Bernardino on Feb. 4, and play at Cal State-San Bernardino Feb. 3 and Feb. 5.
In Montgomery, AL, LSU-Shreveport defeated Faulkner 7-6, lost to Savannah College of Art and Design 8-6, defeated Milligan 13-9 amd Auburn-Montgomery 10-0. Jared Mata got the mercy-rule-shortened shutout. The Pilots play at the Red River-Sooner Conference challenge Feb. 3-5 in Cedar Hill, TX Feb. 3-5; Lubbock Christian Feb. 3, Oklahoma City Feb. 4, and Wayland Baptist Feb. 5.
Also in Montgomery, Auburn-Montgomery defeated SCAD 1-0. Josh Smith and Tyler Dent combined for the three-hit shutout. LF Will Sellers batted in the only run of the game. The Bees host Flagler on Tuesday, and host Truett-McConnell Feb. 4-5. The Senators visit Webber International Feb. 3-4, and Embry-Riddle Feb. 5-6.
Northwood (TX) won three of four at Houston-Victoria, winning 8-5, losing 6-1, and winning 6-4 and 2-1. In the loss, Houston-Victoria's Broc Heymon had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning. The Knights host the Red River-Sooner Conference challenge Feb. 3-5; they play Oklahoma City Feb.3, Wayland Baptist Feb. 4, and Lubbock Christian Feb. 5. The Jaguars play at Texas A&M-Kingsville on Tuesday, and at Texas-Brownsville Feb. 4-5.
Lee opens their season hosting Virginia Intermont Feb. 4-5.
After opening their schedule against LSU-Shreveport Feb. 3, Lubbock Christian plays Texas Wesleyan Feb. 4 and Northwood (TX) Feb. 5, also in Cedar Hill, TX.
In addition to playing LSU-Shreveport Feb. 4, Oklahoma City opens their season against Northwood (TX) Feb. 3 in Cedar Hill, and plays Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth, TX Feb. 5.
Point Loma Nazarene opens their season at Cal State-San Marcos on Tuesday, and hosts Oregon Tech Feb. 5.
Southern Polytechnic opens their season hosting Milligan Feb. 4-5.
South Carolina-Beaufort opens their season at Union U. (TN) Feb. 5, and visits Freed-Hardeman Feb. 6.