Early deficit too much to overcome in California

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The ACU baseball team ran into a buzz saw on Friday night as California Baptist starter Liam Rocha only surrendered one run in seven strong innings, guiding the Lancers over the Wildcats, 7-2. The 'Cats (25-15, 10-9 WAC) trailed 4-0 after four innings, and despite getting a run back in the top of the fifth, gave up three more in the bottom half and ultimately dropped the opener. ACU drops a game below CBU to fifth in the WAC standings after Friday night, and now turns to Saturday to try to even the series and snap a three-game losing streak. Saturday's middle game gets underway at 7 p.m. CT.

How It Happened
- Michael Carpentier got the scoring started with a solo home run off starter Tyler Morgan in the bottom of third inning, and that was the only lead change of the game.
- CBU had the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth and sent a single through the left side. The first run scored and then a throwing error allowed the runners to move up and score another. It was a 3-0 lead that eventually was 4-0 after a sacrifice bunt.
- The Wildcats got on the board in the top of the fifth when Crew Parke flew out to right field, but his sac fly brought home Maddox Miesse to make it a 4-1 game.
- CBU answered with a three-run bottom of the fifth an rbi-single, a bases-loaded walk, and a fielder's choice. The Lancers blew the game open at the halfway point.
- The Wildcats got a run back in the top of the eighth when Grayson Tatrow singled home Jake Skaggs, but it was not enough.

Stat Pack
- Morgan went 4.1 innings in the start, allowing six earned runs on eight hits with four strikeouts. Morgan took the loss (2-3).
- Sam Berberich tossed 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen on one hit with a career-high seven strikeouts.
- Drake Boggan threw a scoreless eighth inning.
- Tatrow went 3-for-4 with an rbi Friday. His three hits matched a season-best.
- Miesse tallied two hits with a run scored.


Beyond the Box Score
- Friday marked the 54th career multi-hit game for Tatrow.
- Miesse tallied his 11th multi-hit game of the season.

On Deck
- Game two of the series gets underway Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT. RHP Breck Eichelberger (4-2, 4.22 ERA) gets the ball to try to even the series against CBU's RHP Spencer Bengard (3-1, 5.92 ERA). The game airs on ESPN+.