THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Pacific Lutheran University baseball team held host California Lutheran University scoreless through the opening three innings but the floodgates opened in the fourth with the hosts cruising to a 23-1 victory on Friday afternoon at Ullman Stadium.

The Lutes (0-1) drew first blood in the top of the fourth, manufacturing the first run of the game. Ethan Keintz drew a leadoff walk before Kaleb McNeely walk and a Hayden Kaiser hit by pitch loaded the bases with two outs. Rochne Beecham was patient at the plate, drawing a bases loaded walk to score Keintz and make it 1-0.

PLU's advantage was fleeting with the host Kingsmen cranking out eight runs on five hits in the bottom of the fourth to seize the lead. Cal Lu (3-1) padded its lead over the next four frames, scoring a pair of runs in the fifth and six runs in both the sixth and seventh innings.

Beecham led the Lutes at the plate, going one-for-one with an RBI and two walks.  

Matthew Sherwood got the start and tossed three scoreless innings before yielding four runs in the fourth and was tagged with the decision. PLU's pitching staff combined for six strikeouts on the day, also getting punchouts from Logan Egge, Wyatt Norris, Andrew Hickman, and Osei Kimura. 

The Lutes and Kingsmen close out the series tomorrow with a twinbill beginning at 10 a.m.