CLU Sweep Puts Home Streak at 30

Cal Lutheran stretched its home winning streak to 30 by sweeping visiting Pomona-Pitzer in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball doubleheader Saturday, posting 6-1 and 17-2 victories.

The streak dates to March 4, 1991.

It was the third victory for Cal Lutheran (26-1, 12-0 in SCIAC play) over the Sagehens in two days. On Friday, the Kingsmen knocked out 13 extra-base hits to rout Pomona, 16-4.

In Saturday’s first game, Cal Lutheran led, 3-1, then doubled its run total in the eighth. Joe Cascione’s home run accounted for the first run in the inning and Dan Smith doubled to pave the way for two more runs.

Smith and Jeff Berman, transfers from Moorpark College who have played together since their days at Newbury Park High, were the kingpins in the second game.

Smith, the Kingsmen shortstop, was four for four, including two home runs, a double and a single, and drove in five runs.

Berman (1-0) picked up the victory in relief. He replaced starter Mike Winslow in the third after Pomona (8-16, 4-7) had scored two runs to close within 4-2. Berman got out of the inning with a double play and kept Pomona scoreless the rest of the way, giving up only three hits.

“(Berman) is making a strong bid to be our No. 3 pitcher with that performance today,” Cal Lutheran Coach Rich Hill said.

Winslow currently is the No. 3 pitcher behind Pat Norville and Steve Dempsey.

Smith, who was batting .280 before Saturday’s doubleheader, improved to .319. Smith also provided excellent defense, helping Cal Lutheran turn two double plays in the second game.

Smith, a senior, said he had to adjust this season to the increased number of off-speed pitches thrown to him at the Division III level.

Cal Lutheran, which never trailed in the doubleheader, broke on top in the first inning of the second game. Leadoff hitter Jason Wilcox doubled off Stefan D’Annibale, stole third and scored on an error by center fielder Bobby Christman.

Smith hit a three-run home run in the second inning to give Cal Lutheran a 4-0 lead. Smith also scored in the fourth inning when the Kingsmen took a 5-2 lead. His double in the sixth helped Cal Lutheran score two more runs for a 7-2 lead.

Pomona reliever David Baldi was hit hard in the sixth. Baldi, who had pitched six innings against the Kingsmen on Friday, gave up two doubles and three home runs before being replaced by Greg Pine in the eighth.

Pete Martin homered in Cal Lutheran’s seven-run eighth.

Despite the two wins, Hill was not entirely pleased. “There was a lapse today in the first game,” Hill said.

“I think we came out today thinking that Pomona was going to roll over and all we had to do was show up.”