COLLEGE BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Master’s Beats CLU to Claim Playoff Berth

Pinch-hitter Chad Hankinson’s three-run double in the seventh inning broke open a tight game as The Master’s defeated Cal Lutheran, 8-2, in an NAIA District 3 game Thursday that earned the host Mustangs an automatic berth in the playoffs.

Master’s (23-18, 15-8 in district play) advances to the District 3 playoffs, which begin Thursday.

Russ Henzie had four hits, Andy Martin was three for four with two triples and Dan O’Sullivan was three for four and drove in three runs for Master’s.

Hankinson broke open a 4-2 game with his double. Master’s outhit Cal Lutheran, 15-5.

Cal Lutheran (29-8, 7-3) still can qualify for postseason play as an at-large team.

If the Kingsmen are selected at a coaches’ meeting Sunday, they would play Monday and would need a victory to advance to the District 3 tournament field.

Blake Babki led off the game with a home run for Cal Lutheran and teammate Jay Lucas had two hits.

Master’s freshman right-hander Chris Beck (8-3) allowed three hits and two earned runs in 6 1/3 innings, struck out three and walked six.

Mike Smith pitched the final 2 2/3 innings to earn his first save.

Harbor 5, Mission 4--With the score tied, 4-4, in the bottom of the ninth, Ricardo Gutierrez hit a one-out home run off reliever Nino Romo to win the Southern California Athletic Conference game. Richard Ortiz was three for five and Lazaro Campos had two hits for Mission, which finished the season 20-20, 8-12 in conference play.