Lusk, Harris Help Carry Pierce to Sixth Consecutive Victory

Catcher David Lusk had two hits, driving in two runs, and Pierce College defeated host Santa Barbara, 4-2, in a nonconference baseball game on Thursday.

Shortstop Josh Harris had a run-scoring triple in the eighth inning for Pierce (7-4), which has won six in a row.

Pierce pitchers Traviss Hodge (1-1), Merrill Dunn and Travis Rutter combined on a four-hitter. Rutter pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his third save of the season.

The Master’s 17, Cal Baptist 12--Josh Carrington struck out seven in six innings of relief and the Mustangs rallied from an eight-run deficit in a nonconference game at Cal Baptist called after seven innings because of darkness.

Master’s, which finished with 18 hits, scored 10 runs in the sixth inning.

Ty Sager had four hits, driving in two runs, and Chris Kollmann drove in three runs on three hits. Ryan Pollard smacked a two-run home run for the Mustangs.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Redlands 65, Cal Lutheran 61--Haley Jones scored 17 points on seven-of-11 shooting for Cal Lutheran in a SCIAC game at Redlands (17-8, 7-5 in conference play).

Valery Brady had 13 points, including three three-point baskets, and 11 rebounds for Cal Lutheran.

Nicole Sanchez did not play for Cal Lutheran (21-4, 10-2) because of an injured left ankle.

The Regals finished tied for first place in the SCIAC with Pomona-Pitzer.

The teams will meet in a playoff game on Saturday at a site and time to be announced today.

The winner will receive the SCIAC’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III tournament.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Whittier 69, Cal Lutheran 57--Mike Dulaney scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Cal Lutheran (10-15, 4-10) in a SCIAC game at Whittier.

Heath Kirschner scored a game-high 25 points for Whittier (10-15, 5-9).

MEN’S TENNIS

Ventura 9, Bakersfield 0--Sami Benkahla defeated Rordeep Deol, 6-1, 6-1, at No. 1 singles in a Western State Conference match at Bakersfield.

Every Ventura (5-3, 3-0) player won in straight sets.