Hawaii Pacific First CLU Foe in Tournament

A common refrain among disgruntled losers runs something like this: “Yeah, but if we played them 10 times, we’d probably win eight or nine.”

Hawaii-Hilo won’t be saying that this spring after losing the NAIA District 29 baseball title to Hawaii Pacific. Hawaii Pacific did play Hilo 10 times and won six to secure its first district championship and an 11 a.m. date today with Cal Lutheran in the Area 1 championships.

Hawaii Pacific (23-19) and Hilo are the only teams in their district, but Cal Lutheran (32-14) is one of nine teams in District 3 and battled out of a bruising five-team tournament to qualify for its first trip to the Area 1 championships, which are hosted by Lewis & Clark College and held at the University of Portland’s Farley Field.

“I believe that we play in the toughest district in the country, which should prepare you for something,” Cal Lutheran Coach Rich Hill said.

Hawaii Pacific has not shirked top-level competition, playing Division II power Wright (Ohio) State as well as Division I teams such as Maine and Nebraska. Hawaii Pacific shucked the Cornhuskers, winning two of three games.

“Defense and pitching are our strengths,” Hawaii Pacific Coach David Eldredge said. “We’re not really a power-hitting team. We try to manufacture three or four runs.”

Senior right-hander Albert Cardona (6-2, 1.28 earned-run average) is Hawaii Pacific’s probable starter.

Hawaii Pacific batted .302 as a team but hit only six home runs. Four Cal Lutheran players have hit more than six home runs, and the team has 58. Peter Washington leads Cal Lutheran with 12.

The Kingsmen have won 19 of their past 24 games. Cal Lutheran is the highest-ranked team--No. 13--in the Area 1 championships.

Mike Clark (6-2), a senior right-hander, will start the opener for Cal Lutheran. The winner will play the winner of the game between Lewis & Clark (28-13) and Whitworth (19-17) on Friday at 1 p.m.

The winner of the double-elimination tournament moves on to the NAIA World Series, May 25-June 1 in Lewiston, Ida.