Well-Rested Kingsmen Ready for Grudge Match

The Cal Lutheran baseball team, idle since May 1, is rested to the point of restlessness.

The Kingsmen (27-10-1) finally get to play again in a best-of-five NCAA Division III regional beginning today at 2:30 p.m. at Moorpark College.

Their opponent, Claremont-Mudd (27-13-1), is the team Cal Lutheran beat for the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.

Claremont, ranked No. 9 in Division III, brings a .328 batting average and a revenge motive into the series. The teams will play a doubleheader Friday and one or two games Saturday, if necessary.

“We are itching to play,” Kingsmen Coach Marty Slimak said. “Claremont is a very good hitting team that gave us all we could handle in conference play.”

Winning the regional would send second-ranked Cal Lutheran to its third World Series in five years.

Pitching is Cal Lutheran’s strength. Senior right-hander Andrew Barber (6-2, 2.25 earned-run average) and freshman right-hander Eric Kiszczak (7-2, 4.94) were All-SCIAC selections and junior left-hander Richard Bell (8-2, 3.01) made second team.

Claremont has one of the best pitchers in Division III, right-hander Brian Zinda (10-1, 3.11).

First baseman Bryan Coin (.394), third baseman Mark Murray (.355) and outfielder John Lister (.329) are the top hitters for Claremont.

Cal Lutheran’s top hitter is senior catcher Rik Work (.363). The Kingsmen have depth, with 11 players batting .270 or better.