The Cal State LA baseball team swept La Sierra in dominant fashion from Feb. 16 to 18. They reached double digit points in two of the three games, and only allowed two runs in two of the three games. These games are their last preseason games before the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) games begin.
In the first game against La Sierra, Cal State LA got off to a slow start, scoring only one run across the first four innings. They had a few hits across those innings, but they weren’t hitting consecutively until the fifth. The offense ramped up in the fifth inning, and Cal State LA never took their foot off the gas.
Golden Eagle third baseman Elijah Jackson hit the first of five home runs in the game, triggering a home run parade throughout the game that accounted for nine of their 16 total runs. First baseman Matthew Piotrowski and designated hitter Andrew Duran went 3-5 on the night, and Cal State LA secured their first home win with a score of 16-7.
“Typically I have a bad habit of trying to overswing and do too much, but today I felt relaxed at the plate,” Duran said. “I just have to trust my ability and play baseball.”
Cal State LA continued their dominance the next night against La Sierra University. They didn’t hit as many homeruns, but they were hitting for contact and that blew the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning, where the Golden Eagles scored 11 runs. Piotrowski continued his stellar weekend with a perfect 4-4 night that included two runs batted in (RBI). Starting pitcher Anthony Lopez earned his first win of the season, going five innings and allowing two earned runs – the only runs La Sierra University scored. Cal State LA won 25-2.
The final game of the series wasn’t filled with as much offense, but the end result was the same. The offense was quiet for the first three innings as La Sierra put up their first run of the day in the top of the third. Cal State LA responded back in the bottom of the fourth with a five spot that included lots of contact hitting. The Golden Eagles added two more runs in the game, and completed the sweep with a 7-2 victory. Starting pitcher Jorge Romero earned his second win of the season, going six innings and allowing two earned runs. Head Coach Vince Beringhele noted some positive aspects he saw from the team over the series.
“I think that they’re understanding how to show up and play everyday right now, which has been a trait that’s been hard to come by the last couple years,” Beringhele said.
Piotrowski’s performance throughout the week earned him the CCAA Player of the Week for the second time in his collegiate career. He went 10-17 with nine RBI and two homers.
Following the away series at Cal State San Marcos, the Golden Eagles are set to have their first CCAA home series starting March 8 against Cal State Dominguez Hills.
“It’s nice to go in winning four straight,” Beringhele said. “We’ve done things, and I think we’re still learning about our team a little bit. We like where we’re at, and we’re as prepared as we can be at this stage.”
