Hawks baseball gain Milner’s first win
- Updated: January 28, 2023
2023 SAN DIEGO CHRISTIAN COLLEGE BASEBALL
ECS staff report
RIVERSIDE -In a friendly game of golf, one may request a “mulligan” — a go-over — and replay the shot.
Such a circumstance does not occur in collegiate baseball, yet the San Diego Christian College baseball team performed like they received such a benefit.
After getting swept in Friday’s season-opening doubleheader, the Hawks bounced back like the season started all over, swarming all over host La Sierra University, 15-4, in Friday’s (Ja. 27) series finale .
The decision gives San Diego Christian had coach Josh Milner his first triumph as a collegiate coach. Milner replaced Brian Schroeder, the former record-breaking pitcher for Christian High, who was promoted to Director of Athletics. Schroeder still holds the CIF-San Diego Section mark for most career pitching victories.
Likewise, it was th first loss for Golden Eagles head coach Christopher Davis after gaining two wins 24 hours earlier. Davis replaced interim coach Eric Cendejas, who once played in the minor league system for his hometown ballclub, the Anaheim Angels.
The Hawks scored on six of their first eight trips to the plate, then posted a 6-spot in the ninth to bust the contest wide open.
Third baseman Jake Luther, a junior from Kihei, Hawai’i, fueld the offense by batting 4-for-5, with, with three runs and two RBI, including a home run and double.
Even more power was provided by senior outfielder Tre Pankratz (Abbotsford, B.C., Canada), who slugged a homer and a triple in a 3-for-5 outing, also good for three runs and a pair of RBI.
Gavin Perry
Meanwhile,the pitching staff,m which was tattered on Day One,bounced back behind the arm of sophomore Gavin Perry (The Rock Academy), firing six strong innings The 6-foot-4 right-hander allowed an early run, then dominated the Golden Eagles with 5 1/3 frames of shutout ball.
San Diego Christian will be the home team when the Hawks next meet University of Saint Katherine for the San Diego County small-college championship. The contest will be held at Escondido High School’s historic Pete Coscarart Field (just north of the football stadium) on Friday (Feb. 3) in an 11 a.m.doubleheader.
