RHP Keegan Yuhl, a transfer from Lee, pitched a no-hitter for #9 Concordia-Irvine in a 9-0 non-conference win over Antelope Valley. Yuhl threw 115 pitches, struck out 12, walked three. Story from Concordia-Irvine: Keegan Yuhl Throws First No-Hitter In Concordia History. The story includes three video clips; scroll down to see them. Box score.
The Eagles didn't just get a no-hitter and a three game sweep of Antelope Valley; all three games were shutouts, and the Eagles allowed only four hits for the series.
#12 The Master's won two of three at #22 San Diego Christian in a Golden State Athletic Conference matchup of two teams that were previously undefeated. The scores were 4-2, 8-11, and 3-1. The Mustangs got three runs on the top of the ninth inning to win the first game; 1B Josh Brown hit a two-RBI single to bring in the winning run. Jason Karkenny pitched two perfect innings to get the win in relief. 3B Jeff Lusardi hit a home run, a double, and five RBI for the Hawks in the second game. RHP Tucker Richardson pitched a seven-inning gem for the Mustangs in the third game; three hits, nine strikeouts, one walk. He was one out short of a shutout; Lusardi hit a home run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. The Mustangs visit Concordia-Irvine Feb. 7-8. The Hawks host #16 Cal State San Marcos Feb. 8.
The split between The Master's and San Diego Christian enabled Vanguard to take over first place in the GSAC. The Lions swept three games against Arizona Christian, 3-2, 4-2, and 2-1. The Lions were held to three hits by Ismael Castro in the first game, but all three Lions runs were unearned. CF Thomas Mobley hit a two-RBI double in the bottom of the eighth to win the second game. Scott Torrey went the seven-inning distance for the Lions in the third game, didn't allow an earned run, allowed four hits, struck out six. The Lions visit Westmont Feb. 7-8. Live video
The best matchup outside of the GSAC may have been #13 Northwood (TX) at #21 LSU-Shreveport. The Pilots swept the four game series 9-3, 9-1, 4-2, and 12-5. Dustin Doucette, Jason Mouton, Jake Hansen, and Jacob Rodrigue got the wins. Connor McMullin went 8-for-13 for the series. This series was the debut for the Pilots' new coach, Al Cantwell. The Pilots visit LSU-Alexandria Feb. 7-8. Live audio
#1 Faulkner started their season with a three-game sweep of Talladega. The Eagles play #4 Missouri Baptist Feb. 7-8, #15 Lindsey Wilson Feb. 7, and #10 Cumberland Feb. 8, in Montgomery, AL.
#2 Lewis-Clark State opens their season hosting the Guardian Tournament Feb. 7-9, against British Columbia, NAIA West champion Concordia-Portland, and College of Idaho. Live audio
#3 Embry-Riddle opened their season with two extra-inning losses, 4-3 (11 innings) to Webber International, and 9-7 (10 innings) to #24 William Carey. Three Webber International pitchers, RHP Chris Garcia, RHP Trevor Jones, and RHP Nick Olson, combined to hold the Eagles to six hits. LF Cody Warren singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 11th. Pinch-hitter Cade LeBlanc hit a two-RBI double in the top of the tenth to win the second game for William Carey. The Eagles open The Sun Conference play at Southeastern Feb. 7-8.
# 5 Oklahoma City opens their season at home against #14 Bellevue and Hastings Feb. 8-9. Live video
#6 York opens their season at #11 Oklahoma Baptist Feb. 7-8. They also play two neutral-site games against Evangel on those two days.
#7 Sterling won two of three at Saint Gregory's, 4-3, 4-2, and 0-4. Stephen Cazares got the win in the first game, CF LeJon Baker singled in the winning run in the second inning. Baker was 3-for-4 with a double for the game. He also batted in the winning run in the second game, went 2-for-4. Chris Sutton pitched the seven-inning shutout for Saint Gregory's in the third game, allowed four hits, struck out five. The Warriors visit Wiley Feb. 7-8.
#8 Tennessee Wesleyan was swept by Auburn-Montgomery, 5-3, 6-4, and 11-8. Richard Nason, Daniel Farrar, and Britt Wilson got the wins. CF Hayden Hillyer hit an RBI double for the winning run in the second game. Story (with video) from Auburn-Montgomery site. The Bulldogs host Northwestern Ohio Feb. 8-9. The Warhawks host #10 Cumberland Feb. 7, and #15 Lindsey Wilson Feb. 8.