Lancaster, Calif. - The Golden Eagles baseball team opened the Cal Pac season by dropping a three-game series at the University of Antelope Valley, in Lancaster, CA. The Pioneers took Friday's single game by a final of 13-3, then swept La Sierra in Sunday's doubleheader, 3-2 and 8-7. The team fell to 0-3 in conference play, and 7-10 overall.
La Sierra 3, UAV – 13
The 'mercy rule' was invoked in Friday's loss to the Pioneers after the Golden Eagles surrendered eight runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Antelope Valley's bats tallied a total of 13 runs on 15 hits which helped them overcome five errors committed in the game.
It was La Sierra who jumped on the board first with three runs through the first two innings of play. But the Pioneers tied the score with two runs in the third inning and took their first lead of the day with three more runs in the fourth.
Jeremy Guerrero was charged with the loss after giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits through four innings of work.
The Golden Eagles finished with five hits, led by Andrew Lundstrom who was 2-for-3 on the afternoon. Craig Woolson had a 2-RBI single to lead the team in runs batted in.
La Sierra 2, UAV – 3
Two days after giving up 13 runs, the Golden Eagles got a solid pitching performance that gave them a chance until the Pioneers took their second straight over the Golden Eagles in walk-off fashion. With the Pioneers leading 2-0, heading into the sixth inning, La Sierra tied the score at 2-2, until surrendering the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The Pioneers outhit La Sierra 12-4 in the game. Woolson had two of the four hits and accounted for the only RBI recorded to the team.
Andrew Gonzalez entered the game to start the ninth inning and was charged with the loss.
La Sierra – 7, UAV – 8
The Pioneers completed the sweep seven unanswered runs over a 4-inning span. After the Golden Eagles took the early 1-0 lead, Antelope Valley rattled off seven straight runs from the second inning through the fifth inning. A late charge by the Golden Eagles fell just short of tying the game and potentially avoiding the sweep. With one out and the tying run on third base, the Golden Eagles hit into a game-ending double play, putting an end to the rally and the game.
Jacob Barbata got the start for La Sierra, giving up six runs on eight hits, through 3 2/3 innings pitched.
The offensive standouts for the Golden Eagles, who outhit the Pioneers, were Woolson and Matt Majher who each went 3-for-5 in the loss. Jake Taylor and Lundstrom each added two hits, with Majher and Taylor leading the way with two RBi's apiece. La Sierra finished with a total of 14 hits compared to 11 for the Pioneers.
The baseball team will resume Cal Pac play this Thursday and Friday when they welcome Providence Christian College for their conference home opener. Thursday will be a single game, starting at 2pm, followed by a Friday doubleheader getting underway at 11am.
