ORANGE, Calif.— Pinch runner Kyle Gerber scoring the winning run in the top of the ninth inning as the Pacific Lutheran University baseball team picked up its second victory in as many days, topping 23rd-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College 4-3 on Sunday at Chapman University's Hart Field. 
 
The visiting Lutes (8-12) struck first with a Brody Phinney single scoring Aaron Barber in the fourth inning. The Stags (14-6) would answer in the bottom half of the frame, scoring two on an outfield single before stretching its advantage to 3-1 in the fifth inning.
 
PLU chipped into the lead in the eighth with a Carson Burke RBI groundout scoring Barber before a Hayden Kaiser single to right field scored Ashton Barton to know the score at 3-3.
 
Singles from Rutger Youch, Rochne Beecham, and Barber loaded the bases with no outs before pinch runner Kyle Gerber delivered the winning run on a passed ball with one out, giving PLu the 4-3 lead.
 
Reliever Matthew Sherwood shut the door on the Stags in the ninth, collecting a strikeout and inducing two groundouts as host CMS went three-up, three-down in the final inning.
 
Sherwood earned the win, tossing the final two innings, allowing no base runners and striking out three. Jonathan Cohen made the start, striking out one in four innings of action before turning it over to Chris Moreno who tossed three scoreless innings and fanned three batters.
 
"We had a great effort on the mound today. Cohen, Moreno and Sherwood did an excellent job," said Head Coach Nolan Soete. 
 
PLU cranked out 15 hits at the plate, including five Lutes finishing with multiple hits. Aaron Barber was dialed in, going three-for-five and scoring two runs while Youch, Beecham, Barton, and Burke all had a pair of hits.
 
"We hit the ball well today, but we struggled with runners in scoring position. Barber led the way offensively and Barton, Youch, Kaiser, Burke, Phinney, and Brayden Adcox had good at bats as well. It was nice to finish the trip on a high note."
 
The Lutes finish out the California trip on a two-game winning streak and are back on the diamond on Wednesday afternoon, hosting local rival Saint Martin's University at 3 p.m.