Cal Baptist swept three close games from a Cal State San Marcos team that was 6-1 going into the series. The Lancers won the first game 2-0 with a pinch-hit single by Josh Manzano. Drew Madrigal and Erik Wallace scattered four hits for the shutout; the Cougars outhit the Lancers 4-3. The second game was 4-3; the Lancers scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, and the winning run came in on a double by RF Zach Esquerra. Patrick Smith got the win in relief. The Lancers trailed 7-0 after 1 1/2 innings in the third game, but Travis Barnes was able to hold the Cougars to two runs on four hits the rest of the way. The Lancers took a 9-7 lead in the fifth inning on a two-run home run by LF Jake Johnson, and the Cougars tied it 8-8 in the eighth when Smith walked in two runs. However, the Lancers loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, and the winning run came in when C Sharif Othman was hit by a pitch by Johnny Omahen.
The Lancers are now 10-1. They host La Sierra on Tuesday, and host British Columbia Feb. 18-19. The Cougars visit Point Loma Nazarene on Tuesday, and play Azusa Pacific home-and-away Feb. 18-19.
Cumberland opened their season with a pair of wins over Missouri Baptist, 3-2 and 7-1. The first game was scheduled for seven innings, but it took a home run by Cory Farris in the eighth inning to decide it. Keith Kirby got the win in relief. In the second game, Mike Mandarino allowed two hits over six innings, and Christian Jennings finished with a perfect seventh inning. Farris went 2-3 with an RBI double.
The following day, the Bulldogs swept a double-header against Saint Francis, 9-3 and 2-0. Matt Vance, Devin Stovall, and Tommy Winegardner combined for a four-hit shutout in the second game. Greg Appleton went 5-12 for the weekend, hit two home runs and five RBI. The Bulldogs travel to Jackson, MS Feb. 18-19 to play two games against McKendree and a game against Belhaven.
Lee defeated Tennessee Wesleyan 10-2 in mid-week (Maxx Catapano got the win), then won two of three against Shawnee State, losing 6-5 (10 innings), and winning 6-4 and 8-3. In the loss, Shawnee State scored two runs in the top of the ninth on a single by Coby Morrison, then won it on an RBI single by Ryan Burnett. Austin Dunfee got the win for the Bears. 3B Preston Scoggins hit a two-run home run in the second game, and 1B Roberto Reyes hit a home run in the third game.
The Flames visit Tennessee Wesleyan on Tuesday, and Union C. (KY) on Wednesday. They host Illinois Tech Feb. 18-19.
Lewis-Clark State kicked off the Gary Picone era with five wins in the Red Lion Tournament. The Warriors defeated Concordia-Portland twice, 9-2 and 17-5, Corban twice, 15-3 and 13-2, and College of Idaho 10-3. The stars of the show were C Braxton Miller (.500, four home runs including a grand slam, 15 RBI), RF Gino Casini (.471), 1B/DH Brian Gaylord (.368, three home runs, 13 RBI), and RHP Tyrell Poggemeyer, who allowed two hits and recorded six strikeouts in five innings of work. Miller had eight RBI in the second game against Corban, despite having to leave the game early due to a collision at the plate.
The Warriors host another tournament Feb. 18-20, and will face Division II teams Saint Martin's and Western Oregon, and Division III Linfield. After that, they host Dickinson State Feb. 21-22.
Lubbock Christian started their season with a four-game sweep against Bellevue, spoiling the debut of Bellevue Coach Duane Monlux. The scores were 11-1, 7-0, 11-8, and 8-2. Lucas Whitmore and Mike Marshall combined for the seven-inning shutout. Whitmore was especially sharp, recording ten strikeouts and allowing two hits over six innings. The Chaparrals hit six home runs in the first game, mercy-ruled after five innings. CF Richard Bohlken and 3B/2B Cameron Brown hit grand slams in the third game. Marshall, who was the designated hitter or played first base when he wasn't pitching, hit five home runs in the series. He is a transfer from Stanford. The Chaparrals host Lindenwood Feb. 19-20.
Embry-Riddle swept three games from Warner to run their record to 6-0. Two of the wins were shutouts; a combined three-hit effort by Ryan Vigue and Barrett Bruce, and a one-hitter by Tucker Jensen. The middle game of the series, however, went 15 innings. The Royals scored four runs in the eighth (two-RBI singles by RF Justin Zanella and C Herb Sickler) and a run in the ninth (RBI double by CF Ethan Lovell) to send it into extra innings, and CF Aaron Glaum hit an RBI double in the 15th to win it for the Eagles. Brandon Creath pitched the last six innings for the Eagles, didn't allow a hit, and struck out four; Creath had pitched only one inning prior to this game.
The Eagles travel to Brewton-Parker Monday and Tuesday, and Webber International Feb. 18-19.
Oklahoma City started their season with two losses in Shreveport, LA, 5-4 to LSU-Shreveport and 8-7 (12 innings) to Belhaven. Chase Wentz scored the winning run on a double steal for LSU-Shreveport. Anthony Doss scored for Belhaven to send it into extra innings, then singled in the winning run. The Stars got their first win the next day, 13-1 at LSU-Alexandria. The Stars visit Southern Nazarene on Tuesday, then host Mid-America Nazarene Feb. 18-19, and Avila Feb. 20.
Point Loma Nazarene won two of three against Arizona Christian, winning 22-3 and 4-2, and losing 1-6. The Sea Lions are 4-2. Their only game this week is against Cal State San Marcos on Tuesday.
Southern Polytechnic defeated Montreat 11-1 and 2-0, then lost the third game 5-4. DH Jeremy Boyd went 3-3 with a home run in the first game. Josh Strawn and Tucker Stone combined for the shutout in the second game. The Hornets are 6-2. They host Tennessee Temple on Tuesday, and Trevecca Nazarene Feb. 18-19.
British Columbia started their season with a come-from-behind win at Simpson, then were shut out 5-0 at Fresno Pacific. Jesse Darrah and three Sunbird relievers combined for the three-hit shutout. The Thunderbirds then lost 8-5 to Division III Whittier, and 16-8 to Concordia-Irvine. Only six of Concordia's runs were earned, and the Eagles are now 4-0. The Thunderbirds have two games against strong opponents coming up, at The Master's on Wednesday, and Cal Baptist Feb. 18-19. They also play Division III Redlands on Tuesday, and Westmont on Thursday.
The Sunbirds are 5-4, and host Division II Academy of Art Feb. 18-19. The Eagles host Arizona Christian Monday and Tuesday.
South Carolina-Beaufort opened their season with a 9-3 win at Claflin, then lost 13-1 to Brewton-Parker. (Brewton-Parker has started the season 6-0.) The Sand Sharks then swept four games against Fisher, and none of the games were close. Dexter Price and Colton Rudd combined for a five-hit shutout in the first game of the series. The Sand Sharks visit Edward Waters on Tuesday, and host Ave Maria Feb. 18-19.