Long Drought Ends for The Master’s, 16-12

The Master’s College jumped out to a 14-run lead by the fifth inning in its game against Cal Lutheran on Thursday. It wasn’t that wide a margin by the finish, but the Mustangs held on to take a 16-12 NAIA District III victory.

It was The Master’s first victory over Cal Lutheran since 1980.

Cal Lutheran, which has beaten The Master’s five times this season, had 15 hits and 14 walks to work with, but left 16 men on base. Kevin Wynn and Jay Knight went 3 for 5, while Ed Howard hit a three-run home run in the sixth to lead the Kingsmen.

The Master’s eight-run second inning was highlighted by Rod Shackelford’s grand slam. Matt MacArthur and Terry Sloan added solo home runs. Sloan also hit a two-run home run in the fifth, his eighth of the season.

Tony Dello was 4 for 6 for The Master’s with two runs scored, while Sloan and MacArthur were 3 for 5. Sloan and MacArthur combined for seven runs batted in.

Winning pitcher Kevin Taylor started on the mound for The Master’s, while Erik Stromm, Eric Petersen and Mike Wilson worked in relief. Taylor is 5-3. Bill Stange took the loss for Cal Lutheran.

The Master’s, 11-19 overall, is 5-9 in NAIA District III. Cal Lutheran is 15-9 overall and 5-5 in NAIA District III.

CAL LUTHERAN--Strange, Anderson (6) and Wynn.

THE MASTER’S--Taylor, Stromm (5), Peterson (7), Wilson (8) and Sloan.

WP--Taylor (5-3); LP--Stange.