Jeremy McDonald, junior kineseology major and pitcher, allowed three hits and struck out 11 batters in the second game against the Broncos of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Feb. 27 Grace Allen | Banner
The California Baptist University baseball team took on the No. 9-ranked California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Broncos in a double header Feb. 27.
Pitching dominated the game as CBU lost 1-0 in the second game of the double header after winning the first on a home run by Stephen Lohr, sophomore psychology major and catcher. In the second game, the Broncos’ lone run was scored in the top of the eighth inning on an RBI single to left field, yielding a win for the Broncos and effectively moving the Lancers’ record to 6-8.
Jeremy McDonald, junior kinesiology major and pitcher, started the game for the Lancers from the mound and was lights out, pitching six scoreless innings. He also only gave up three hits and delivered 11 strikeouts.
“I felt good; I just knew that all the tempo, confidence and energy was in our court, and I just felt if I went out there and dealt, it would stay that way and we would put up another win,” McDonald said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t happen today.”
Lohr said he was encouraged by the performance of his starting pitcher.
“He was dominant,” Lohr said. “He was at the knees all night long. It was unfortunate we weren’t allowed to pull out the win for him.”
Cal Poly Pomona’s starting pitcher, Chris Powell, pitched six shutout innings, only giving up four hits and picking up three strikeouts. Erik Traske, Austin Boyle and J.J. Franklin finished off the pitching for Cal Poly, handing the Lancers their seventh loss of the season. McDonald said he was ready for the challenge of competing against the Broncos’ ace pitcher and knew the game, regardless of the outcome, would challenge him and give him more confidence.
“We just have to keep playing good and keep battling,” Lohr said. “We’re having a couple tough breaks, we get a swing here and there then we win the game so we just got to keep rolling and keep staying with the process.”
The Lancers’ next series is a four-game home series against Montana State Billings on March 4-7.
