AREA COLLEGE NOTEBOOK

The Master’s College, winner of six in a row and owner of its third consecutive 30-victory season, is ranked No. 17 in the NAIA Top 25 baseball poll.

Master’s (30-7) posted shutout victories last week over Westmont and Vanguard. Junior right-hander Josh Higgins was selected NAIA Region II pitcher of the week after striking out 10 against Westmont while logging his fifth complete game.

Higgins (11-2) has tied the Mustangs’ single season record for victories. Ruben Escobar had 11 in 1998. With 20 career victories, Higgins is two behind the school record of 22 by Chris Beck from 1991-94.

Higgins is Master’s career strikeout leader with 255.

Senior right-hander Mike Ploharz is 11-0 and has walked only 24 batters in 104 innings.

*

Underclassmen led Master’s golf team in its inaugural season to a fifth-place finish in the NAIA Region II Championship at Temecula Creek Inn on April 17-18.

Freshman Joe Chally finished seventh in the 54-hole event with a 14-over-par 230. Chally led after the first round with an even-par 72. Chally finished seven shots behind winner Derek Mollin of Cal State San Marcos.

Sophomore Glenn Lord shot a 242 for Master’s. Sophomores John Anderson and Nick Herrmann tied at 249.