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EL CAJON (5-28-09) — Former major league pitcher DOUG JONES, a five-time All-Star in 16 seasons with seven ballclubs, has been named pitching coach at San Diego Christian College.

Jones, who turns 52 next month, spent most all of his career as a relief pitcher, collecting 303 saves, 909 strikeouts in 1,128 innings, with a career 3.30 earned run average. Jones retired in 2000 with one of the best strikeouts-to-walks ratios in baseball history, ranking 8th all-time.

Jones was a late bloomer, not reaching the majors to stay until he was 29. His career began with a year each at Butler University and Central Arizona College, eventually getting drafted in the third round of the 1978 amateur draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.

After a cup of coffee with four late-season appearances in 1982, Jones gained his break with Cleveland in 1986, gaining three straight All-Star Game berths (1988-90).

The Southern California native became an assistant coach for Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (PRCA) in Tucson, Ariz., where all three of his sons attended and played baseball.

In 2006, Jones became a pitching instructor and special assistant to A.J. Hinch, the minor league director for the Arizona Diamondbacks, working for three years helping to develop young pitchers. This past spring, Doug returned to PRCA as head coach for their baseball program and won the school’s first ever Arizona 2A Baseball State Championship.

Doug makes his home in Tucson, where he and his wife Debbie are building independent Christian recording labels, His Heart Music, LLC, and His Heart Summits.

	Chris Bando, shown on his Fleer trading card (left), played 9 seasons in the majors.

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EL CAJON (5-15-09) — CHRIS BANDO, who once hit the game-hitting home run to give Arizona State the College World Series championship before embarking on an 9-year major league playing career, has been named the head baseball coach at San Diego Christian College.

Bando, 53, who owns both college and professional coaching experience, becomes the school's fourth skipper in as many seasons.

Following his college career, Bando was drafted in the second round by the Cleveland Indians in 1978, receiving his ticket to the major leagues on Aug. 13, 1981, with the Tribe, where the catcher spent the next eight seasons. He also played one game for both Toronto in 1988, then Oakland in 1989.

Chris Bando began his coaching career in the Milwaukee Brewers organizations, climbing the ladder to join the big league staff in 1995. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach with Golden State Athletic Conference rival The Master's College,

Bando also is a pastor and has served as chaplain for both the A’s and Indians, plus short term mission trips conducting evangelistic baseball clinics and preaching in several countries and in 26 states. His ministry also includes Pro Bowl outreach to military bases in Honolulu with Athletes in Action, FCA Associate Discipleship, and Athletes Abroad For Christ (Founder and Director).

According to the school's announcement, Bando's goal in ministry is to edify the saints by presenting every man complete in Christ (Col. 1:28) and to evangelize the lost by being committed to seeing non-believers become committed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 19:10).

Bando welcomes the opporunity to lead a Christ-centered college program and impact young men for eternity.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to glorify God through the baseball program at San Diego Christian College ," said Bando. "Our program will be committed to the development of the players physically and fundamentally with an emphasis on discipleship."

"My expectation is that God will use the vehicle of baseball as an opportunity to develop Christ-likeness in each individual.”

Bando is the younger brother of four-time American League all-star Sal Bando, who was runner-up for the AL MVP award to teammate Vida Blue in 1971.

Bando also announced that tryouts for the 2010 edition of the Hawks will be held on Sat., June 6, to be held at the Christian High School baseball diamond at 10 a.m. For further information or to complete the tryout application HERE, or contact Bando by email HERE.

Ryan Inverso 2009 GSAC Batting Champion Scott Whittet 2009 GSAC Batting runner-up

GOLDEN STATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE BATTING LEADERS (Regular Season Final)

Player, School............. AVG AB R H RBI INVERSO, Ryan, SDCC........ .429 161 48 69 19 WHITTET, Scott, SDCC....... .416 161 33 67 5 FEICHT, Chris, APU......... .398 133 17 53 13 RIGBY, Case, FPU........... .395 167 33 66 15 WILEY, Sam, WC............. .392 166 16 65 11 CUTSPEC, Brice, APU........ .379 177 46 67 16 GONZALEZ, Michael, CUI..... .379 177 37 67 17 ZELLER, Joe, TMC........... .378 185 41 69 25 BARGER, Zach, CUI.......... .371 143 46 53 11 Complete Listings: HERE

The sophomore from nearby Lakeside capped his season with a 1-for-4 outing against Vanguard University, finishing with a .429 mark (69-for-161) to capture the Golden State Athletic Conference batting crown. Inverso edged teammate SCOTT WHITTET, who went 1-for-3 against the Lions, becoming the only other GSAC player to finish over the .400 plateau at .416 (67-for-161).

The 1-2 hitting punch was a nice way for the Hawks to finish a difficult season. Yet for the other 20 members of the ballclub, it's still all about winning, as SDCC came through with a nice triumph to close a 13-34 campaign (4-32 GSAC).

Powered by six strong innings by starting pitcher EDDIE PRYOR, San Diego Christian downed Vanguard, 5-3, at Stars Field. Pryor struck out seven Lions during his pitching stint.

"It was the last outing of the season, so I left it all out on the field," noted Pryor, a senior transfer from Cal Poly Pomona. "I tried to get through at least the 6th, that's what happened. I only gave up two runs, so I feel good about my pitching."

Pryor concluded the season without allowing a run over 12 1/3 innings, including five shutout innings in a no-decision when the Hawks blanked Concordia, 5-0, on Apr. 16.

"I didn't have that many wins, but I felt I did a good job out on the mound, even though my ERA doesn't show it," noted Pryor. "But these last few starts, I finished strong, so that's a good feeling."

Pryor plans to tryout with the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team this summer.

RYAN FISCHER then added three more K's over his three innings of relief to gain his first collegiate save. Fischer yielded just two hits to snap the Hawks' 10-game losing streak at home and conclude the year on a bright note.

Hawks designated hitter NATE MADDOX provided most of the team's run production, driving in three with a 3-for-4 performance.

Maddox's 1st inning single brought home Inverso to offset an early Vanguard run and tie the contest. Maddox then gave the Hawks the lead for keeps with a 2-run basehit to left with the bases loaded in the 3rd, scoring MANNY HERNANDEZ and Whittet.

Hernandez then returned the favor with an RBI double in the 4th, capping a 2-for-3 outing.

But in the 8th, SDCC senior first baseman JESSE McDONALD stroked an opposite-field double down the line in right, scoring on RUBEN HINOJOSA's basehit up the middle.

Pryor welcomed the support by both of the team's .400 hitters.

"Inverso and Whittet were solid all year," Pryor noted. "Ryan is probably one of the greatest hitters I've ever played with. He hits for power, with doubles and triples to all parts of the field."

"And Whittet's feet get him on base no matter where he hits the ball."

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FRESNO (4-26-09) — While Fresno Pacific University raced to a pair of 10-1 victories over San Diego Christian College, the focus on the Hawks continues on the Golden State Athletic Conference batting race between teammates RYAN INVERSO and SCOTT WHITTET.

And unless another player from another GSAC school steps up, it should come down to Tuesday's (Apr. 28) 3 p.m. season finale against Vanguard to determine a champion.

The battle moved a few percentage points tighter following's Saturday's (Apr. 25) twinbill with the second-place Sunbirds (32-15, 24-11 GSAC), as Whittet edged closer after collecting a pair of hits in the second contest to cap a 3-for-6 afternoon.

Meanwhile, Inverso went 1-3 and scored the lone run for SDCC (12-34, 3-32 GSAC) in the first game, then was lifted for a pinchhitter after one at-bat in the nightcap in a 1-for-4 outing on the day.

Thus, Inverso's lead was trimmed by one-third, with Inverso going from .435 to .430 (65-for-151), while Whittet went up a notch from .413 to .416 (62-for-149).

Concordia's Michael Gonzalez entered the week as the only other GSAC batter over the .400-plateau, standing at .403. The designated hitter was expected to gain ground when the Eagles met "everyone's favorite doormat" in La Sierra University earlier in the week, but Gonzalez was lifted following a 1-for-3 outing in the team's 42-4 demolition of the Golden Eagles.

Gonzalez also went 1-for-5 against The Master's, then in Saturday's GSAC doubleheader sweep of Cal Baptist, he went 2-for-4 and 1-for-4. Thus, his 5-for-15 mark for the week dropped his season average to .396 (67-for-169).

The only other contenders hail from Azusa Pacific. Chris Feicht finished the week at .398, while Brice Cutspec, the NAIA national player of the week (Apr. 13-20) fell to .385. Cutspec had just touched the .400 mark after an 11-for-19 week when he set the Cougars' single-season home run record with his 26th of the season.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (4-24-09) — Less than four weeks ago, San Diego Christian College staged its greatest final-inning comeback ever after scoring eight times in the 9th inning to shock Oregon Tech.

On Thursday (Apr. 23), the Hawks nearly repeated the feat.

Capped by a 3-run homer by shortstop RUBEN HINOJOSA, San Diego Christian scored five times in the 9th. However, Vanguard reliever Ryan Lewis retired the next batter to cap a 5-inning stint of relief to gain the win and help the Lions hold on to a 9-8 Golden State Athletic Conference victory at Stars Field.

Hawks left-fielder RYAN INVERSO, who went 4-for-5 with four RBI, lined a basehit to center to bring home EDDIE PRYOR and BRYAN KOBARA. SCOTT WHITTET followed with a basehit, then Hinojosa went deep to left with his 6th homer of the season.

Earlier, Vanguard (18-25, 12-21 GSAC) broke a 3-all deadlock with four runs in the 8th on a grand slam by Jacob Wood, then scored what turned out to be an important insurance run on an error in the 9th.

Inverso's four hits raised his GSAC leading batting average to .435 (64-for-147). Meanwhile, Whittet, who entered the day in second place, went 1-for-3 to drop one point to .413 (59-for-143).

The only other competitors for the batting race are Concordia's Michael Gonzales (.402) and a pair of Azusa Pacific sluggers -- Chris Feicht (.398) and Brice Curspec (.395). BATTING LEADERS

The Hawks (12-32, 3-30 GSAC) close the season with a Saturday doubleheader at Fresno Pacific, then they will again host Vanguard next Wednesday at 3 p.m. for Senior Day.

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SAN MARCOS (4-20-09) — Cal State San Marcos announced that its Tuesday (Apr. 21) home baseball game with San Diego Christian College has been cancelled and there will not be a make-up date.

Apparently, the Coyotes, which does not have its own on-campus facility, could not find a suitable field nearly. By coincidence, Palomar College, along with Escondido, San Marcos and Mission Hills high schools – sites for CSUSM home games – all have home games slated that afternoon.

The Hawks return to action at home Thursday (Apr. 23) vs. Vanguard University at Stars Field.

Hawks happenings — San Diego Christian College student CARRIE PREJEAN, 21, finished as runner-up in the Miss USA pageant, held over the weekend in Las Vegas. The reigning Miss California USA, Prejean, who went to Vista High, placed behind winner Kristen Dalton, Miss North Carolina USA.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (4-19-09) — Prior to San Diego Christian College's Thursday victory over Concordia, the Hawks' last Golden State Athletic Conference victory came in late February against Westmont.

And the Warriors took notice.

As the next opponent on the SDCC schedule, Westmont took care of business early by striking for early leads, sweeping Saturday's (Apr. 18) GSAC doubleheader, 8-3 and 9-4, at Stars Field.

In game one, Warriors outfielder Brent Meschuk went 3-for-5 and scored twice, as the top three batters in the Westmont lineup combined to bat 5-for-13 and drove in four runs to build an early 6-0 advantage.

The second game saw leadoff batter Jordan Bottenfield drive in four more runs, giving the third baseman six RBI for the twinbill, and helping Westmont jump to a 7-0 lead. Shortstop Zeke Torres later added a 2-run homer in the 6th for a 9-2 cushion for Westmont (14-29, 10-22 GSAC).

Meanwhile, the battle for the GSAC batting title continued between Hawks teammates RYAN INVERSO and SCOTT WHITTET.

Including both games of the doubleheader, Inverso batted 2-for-3 for the third straight contest, raising his batting average to .422 (62-for-147) for the season. Meanwhile, Whittet went 2-for-2 in the opener en route to a 3-for-5 afternoon, catching up slightly to .408 (60-for-147).

San Diego Christian (12-30, 3-28 GSAC) plays a non-conference game Tuesday (Apr. 28) at Cal State San Marcos at 3 p.m.

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IRVINE (4-17-09) — Sure, it was only a matter of time before San Diego Christian College would snap its losing streak within the conference. But even the beleaguered Hawks pitching staff couldn't have believed they would do so via shutout.

Nevertheless, EDDIE PRYOR and BLAZE McENTEE combined to allow just six basehits all afternoon, powering San Diego Christian to a surprising 5-0 blanking of host Concordia.

For the Hawks (12-29, 3-27 GSAC), the victory snapped a 20-game string of defeats against Golden State Athletic Conference competition dating back to a 12-4 triumph at Westmont on Feb. 28. Meanwhile, the Eagles (17-23, 12-17 GSAC) lost for the 14th time in their last 18 starts.

Pryor battled on even terms with Concordia starter Dan Orlick for five innings, allowing just two hits before yielding to McEntee, who gained his second victory of the season after San Diego Christian broke through with three runs in the 7th inning.

An Eagles' error was erased when Concordia turned a double play, yet the Hawks still rallied with two outs, ignited on a simple bloop single to centerfield by designated hitter DONALD ARTHER, followed by an opposite-field single by TERRY WEST.

GRANT WALKER, coming off a 6 RBI effort in last week's doubleheader against La Sierra, was granted additional playing time -- and he delivered. The junior from West Chicago , Ill. , laced a ground-rule double along the right-field line to open the scoring.

And when ANTHONY VELASCO singled home West and Walker, the Hawks chased Orlick with a 3-0 advantage.

In the 8th, Concordia placed a pair of runners on base, but McEntee retired Pete Lemone and ZACH BARGER (Valhalla HS/Grossmont College) to end the threat. McEntee allowed just four hits and a pair of walks, running his record to 2-0.

RYAN INVERSO was responsible for both Hawks insurance runs in the 9th. Inverso, the GSAC batting leader, tripled home a run, then scored on SCOTT WHITTET's basehit through a drawn-in infield.

The shutout was the Hawks' third all-time (second this season) by the third-year program.

The Hawks return home for a Saturday doubleheader with Westmont, starting at noon.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (4-16-09) — Former El Capitan High standout RYAN INVERSO wasn't about to allow the Golden State Athletic Conference batting title slip from his fingers.

Less than 48 hours after seeing his lead taken away by Hawks teammate SCOTT WHITTET, Inverso shot back to the top with a 3-for-5 performance in Wednesday's (Apr. 15) 17-7 setback to visiting Concordia.

Both Inverso and Whittet possess identical 137 official plate appearances, but Inverso now has 56 hits for a .409 batting average. Meanwhile, Whittet saw his 12-game hitting streak snapped following an 0-for-4 outing against the Eagles. He remains at 55 hits for a .401 mark.

The next closest GSAC batter is Ryan Delgado of Azusa Pacific, who entered the day at .394. The game summary was not available at press time, but since the Cougars lost a 3-2 pitcher's duel at Cal Baptist, it would seem to be hard-pressed for Delgado to catch up much on this day.

Inverso's outing included a 2-run double in the 5th inning, a single in the 7th, then a triple in the 9th. However, he did not get an opportunity for the needed homer to go for a cycle after Concordia broke open a close 10-6 contest by scoring seven times in the top of the 9th.

Concordia first baseman Jimmy Mittleberger drove in four runs, including a 3-run homer in the 5th to mount a 9-2 advantage. Centerfielder Peter Lemone and second baseman Greg Davidson also knocked in three runs for the Eagles.

The team conclude the home-and-home series at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Irvine.

Scott Whittet singles in the second game against Biola, extending his hitting streak to 12 straight contests. Whittet took over as the batting leader of the Golden State Athletic Conference with a .414 average. (Photo by Kelly McEntee)

Whittet is fast approaching one major milestone after taking over as the leading batter in the Golden State Athletic Conference after going 4-for-6 in Monday's (Apr. 13) doubleheader, as Biola visited Stars Field to sweep SDCC, 17-5 and 5-1.

Supplanting teammate RYAN INVERSO at the top of the batting table, Whittet moved into position to become the school's first GSAC batting champion.

"I get to hit behind Inverso, which is a big part of it," said Whitter, who bats second behind the former El Capitan High standout. "Then I have MANNY (HERNANDEZ) and RUBEN (HINOJOSA) hitting behind me, so I get a lot of good pitches to hit."

Against Biola, Whittet batted 3-for-3 in the opener, then he beat out an infield single in the nightcap, extending his hitting streak to 12 consecutive ballgames. During the hot stretch, he's gone 25-for-50 at the plate, raising his season average to a GSAC leading .414.

Inverso second is batting .402

"It's a good batting order -- coach has it set pretty good," added Whittet. "We've got KENOLI (FONSECA, a former Hawks standout) coaching at third base making some good calls. He lets me have the green light for stealing -- that's been a big part of my season so far."

Whittet's forte has always been hitting, from batting .382 while winning back-to-back Alpha League high school championships for Whittier Christian to his current run at the GSAC batting crown.

"Our team's hitting is as good as anyone's," he added. "We just get some bad breaks -- but that's the way baseball is. Sometimes it doesn't go your way, which is our season in a nutshell."

Biola (25-18, 16-11 GSAC) extended the Hawks losing streak in conference ballgames to 19 straight, although SDCC is a solid 7-2 in non-conference contests.

In game one, Biola infielders Hawkins Gebbers and Brent Chavez drove in four runs each, as the Eagles broke open a 6-4 contest with six runs in the 6th inning. Included were a pair of Chavez homers, offsetting a solo shot by Whittet in the 3rd inning.

The second game saw San Diego Christian pitcher TIM ACHESON toss six solid innings, but Biola's Adam McNaught and Steven Alexander combined on a 4-hitter, allowing just a single run on a wild pitch. Catcher BRYAN KOBARA recorded half of the hit total, going 2-for-3 including a triple for the Hawks (11-28, 2-26 GSAC).

GSAC Notes — Former Mountain Empire High standout TRAVIS McCLEARY has been the Golden State Athletic Conference player of the week in baseball. McCleary, a senior for 4th-ranked Point Lona Nazarene, went 4-for-10 (.400) at the plate with a walk, a homerun, 5 runs scored and 6 RBI. He had a hit, 2 runs and an RBI at San Francisco State. In the doubleheader sweep of No. 7-ranked Azusa Pacific, McCleary drove in 2 runs in the 7-1 game-1 win and then snapped a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning of game 2 by clubbing a 3-run homer as the GSAC leading Sea Lions went on to win 4-2 to post a perfect 3-0 record last week...

Point Loma Nazarene announces the hiring of ETHAN HAMILTON as athletic director, effective on June 15. Hamilton is currently the men’s head basketball coach and associate athletic director at PLNU. He succeeds NAIA Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Carroll Land, who has served the university in the roles of professor in kinesiology, head baseball coach from 1961-1999 and athletic director since 1968.... Hamilton originally replaced ART WILMORE, the former San Diego Christian College basketball coach, who is now as assistant AD for public relations for the Sea Lions.

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RIVERSIDE (4-8-09/REVISED 4-10-09) — San Diego Christian College, desperately seeking relief after a series of losses to nationally ranked foes, found some relief with its traditional spring break rivals.

The Hawks played its annual doubleheader with La Sierra University (2-18), sweeping the set, 18-4 and 18-5. The victories give SDCC (11-26) a 5-game winning streak against non-conference competition, including an earlier victory over the Golden Eagles, 27-5, on Mar. 10.

After allowing a record 39 runs in a doubleheader against Azusa Pacific, the Hawks bounced back to set a positive school mark with 37 runs in a twinbill, breaking the 2007 standard of 29 set against Westmont.

The score of the second game is a revision after the La Sierra staff re-calculated the boxscore. Originally, they reported a score of 16-4.

In the opener, RYAN INVERSO and TERRY WEST both homered when the Hawks scored 6 times in the 3rd to take a 7-1 lead. Inverso's was a leadoff shot, while West's was a 2-run shot.

In the 5th, ANTHONY VELASCO added a 3-run homer to push the lead to 12-1.

The second contest saw San Diego Christian right fielder CHRIS BRARD hit a pair of 2-run homers. He went yard in the 2nd and 5th frames for an 11-1 cushion, then the Hawks added seven more runs in the 6th.

San Diego Christian will make-up its Feb. 7 rain-out against Biola on Monday (Apr. 13), starting at noon, as the teams return to Golden State Athletic Conference action. The Eagles (22-17) lead the all-time series, 7-3, but the Hawks are 3-1 in contests played at Stars Field.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (4-5-09) — San Diego Christian College came up on the short end of the highest scoring Golden State Athletic Conference game of the season, falling to 6th-ranked Azusa Pacific, 32-6, in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday (Apr. 5) at Stars Field.

The Cougars later swept the twin bill with a 7-6 decision, as third baseman Anthony Delgado stroked a 2-run double in the 7th (and final) inning to break the Hawks' hearts of an upset bid following the opening game disaster.

The 32 runs allowed is a record low for the Hawks (9-25, 2-23 GSAC), who have dropped 17 straight conference ballgames since downing Westmont, 12-4, on Feb. 28. The 32 runs is also the most by any GSAC school since The Master's blanked La Sierra, 30-0, last year in a non-conference blowout.

Azusa Pacific (25-10, 18-8 GSAC) received grand slams by left fielder Stephen Gillette and pinchhitter Scott Sakoda. The Cougars also substituted liberally, as 13 different players scored at least twice (17 players overall crossed the plate).

San Diego Christian scored four times in the 8th, featuring a 3-run homer by MANNY HERNANDEZ, to ruin the shutout bid of Peter Gehle. However, APU responded with its biggest outburst with 12 runs in the 9th, including Sakoda's slam, as one Hawks relief pitcher allowed 11 runs without registering an out.

Gillette's slam came in the 6th to build a 14-0 lead.

On the bright side for SDCC was centerfielder SCOTT WHITTET, who batted 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles. He later went 2-for-4 in the nightcap, extending his hitting streak to 8 straight contests.

During the hot stretch, Whittet is batting .514 (19-for-37). He also has hits in 15-of-16 ballgames (29-67, .433) ever since getting removed early from a game at Point Loma Nazarene on Mar. 5.

The Hawks return to action with a Tuesday non-conference doubleheader at La Sierra, starting at noon.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (4-3-09) — A pair of ballplayers from small towns in the West helped lead 4th-ranked Point Loma Nazarene University to its third straight victory after whipping host San Diego Christian College, 6-2, in Thursday's (Apr. 2) Golden State Athletic Conference victory.

Former Mountain Empire High standout TRAVIS McCLEARY smacked a 2-run double to back the complete-game pitching of Chris Honer, as the Sea Lions opened a 3-game lead over defending champion Azusa Pacific with 12 games left in the regular season.

Honer, who hails from the northern Nevada desert town of Gardnerville (15 miles south of Carson City), carried a shutout into the 9th inning before Hawks designated hitter DONALD ARTHUR struck a 2-run double with two outs. Honer finished with a 6-hitter.

Meanwhile, McCleary, who went 2-for-5 on the afternoon, is batting .358 out of the cleanup spot for the Sea Lions (25-8, 19-5 GSAC). He grew up in Descanso and Pine Valley in San Diego County 's eastern backcountry.

For San Diego Christian (9-24, 2-22 GSAC), second baseman TERRY WEST batted 2-for-4.

The Hawks host 6th-ranked Azusa Pacific in a noon doubleheader on Saturday.

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POINT LOMA (4-2-09) —San Diego Christian College centerfielder RYAN INVERSO clouted a shot over his defensive counterpart for a game-tying home run in the 6th inning Wednesday (Apr. 1), but Point Loma Nazarene closed with 5 unanswered runs, as the 4th-ranked Sea Lions downed the visiting Hawks, 14-9, in Golden State Athletic Conference action at Carroll Land Field.

Inverso finished with a pair of homers, including a shot to right field as the first batter of the ballgame, giving the SDCC leadoff batter a team-leading six for the season. The sophomore out of El Capitan High also leads the ballclub with 27 RBI and a .427 batting average following his 3-for-5 outing.

San Diego Christian (9-23, 2-21 GSAC) exchanged leads with the Sea Lions throughout the contest before PLNU relievers Jason Swen and Davis Koenig finally blanked the Hawks over the final three innings to retain a 1-game GSAC lead over Azusa Pacific.

Hawks left-fielder SCOTT WHITTET also went 3-for-5, raising his season average to .401. Meanwhile, TERRY WEST and BRYAN KOBARA each registered a pair of RBI on 2-run homers. Still, the Hawks dropped their 14th straight GSAC contest, a stretch which began with a loss on the team's last trip to PLNU back on Mar. 5.

For the Sea Lions (24-9, 18-5 GSAC), Kaohi Downing, Travis Steinhauer and Ian MacMaster knocked in three runs each.

The teams complete the home-and-home series at 3 p.m. Thursday (Apr. 2) at Stars Field.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (3-29-09) — The toughest team for San Diego Christian College baseball to defeat in its short tenure isn't a national power such as Azusa Pacific, it's The Master's College, which visited Stars Field to sweep Saturday's (Mar. 28) Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader, 13-10 and 15-8.

The first game nearly followed the historic script of Friday's come-from-behind victory.

After scoring 8 times in the 9th inning to shock Oregon Tech, the Hawks tallied 6 times in their final at-bat, yet fell just short.

Included was a grand slam right-fielder by SCOTT WHITTET to cap the rally. However, Mustangs closer David Goodenough was called upon, retiring the last two SDCC hitters.

In game two, The Master's avoid any major rally effort by scoring nine time in the 1st, although the Hawks did manage to trim the deficit to 9-8 through three frames. The comeback started when RYAN INVERSO led-off the bottom of the 1st with a home run to right.

Whitter registered another 2-hit, 4-RBI performance to drive home 8 runners in the twinbill. Included were 2-run singles in both the 2nd and 3rd innings.

However, The Master's countered with three homers, including a pair by left-fielder Pete Goeman. The leadoff batter went 3-for-4 with 6 RBI and 4 runs.

In a statistical oddity, Hawks reserve DANNY MITCHELL was called upon to pinchrun in both contests, scoring both times against the team of his younger brother, BRYAN MITCHELL. Both played locally for Christian High.

The Mustangs swept the 4-game season series from the Hawks, and now lead the all-time series, 11-1.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (3-28-09) — It's one thing to lose to ballclubs in the Golden State Athletic Conference, easily the toughest NAIA circuit in the nation, which has handed San Diego Christian College 11 straight conference setbacks in March.

But something must have been beating inside the hearts of the San Diego Christian College baseball team when they realized they were about to fall in Friday's (Mar. 27) non-conference contest to Oregon Tech, a decent program from the Pacific Northwest, but one which a team from Southern California should defeat.

Yet there they were, trailing 9-2 entering the bottom of the 9th inning to a team known as the Hustlin' Owls. Demonstrating some pride in what would truly have been an embarrassing defeat, the Hawks mounted the greatest comeback in school history, scoring 8 times to shock Oregon Tech, 10-9, at Stars Field.

The capstone blow came from the Hawks' hottest hitter, outfielder SCOTT WHITTET, who stroked a 2-run double to right-center field to complete a rally which featured 6 hits, a pair of walks, and one critical error.

Whitter finished with a 4-for-6 outing at the plate, including two hits in the 9th, scoring twice.

Following a lead-off groundout, Whittet singled to centerfield. Little did he know the Hawks would turn-over the batting order some 15 minutes later.

RUBEN HINOJOSA reached on an error to put two runners on base, but holding a 9-2 lead, it was anything but panic time for the Oregon Tech bullpen. But the floodgates opened after DONALD ARTHUR singled to load the bases,

MANNY HERNANDEZ walked to force home a run, then RYAN INVERSO doubled home a pair to make it 9-5. Catcher TERRY WEST singled for an RBI, then Inverso scored on a wild pitch by a new relief pitcher – it's now 9-7.

The Owls got a grounder for the second out, but consecutive run-scoring doubles by ANTHONY VELASCO – a shot over the third baseman's head – and Whittet would culminate the school's record comeback.

The miraculous victory snapped an 8-game losing streak for the Hawks (9-18), while Oregon Tech fell to 17-14. San Diego Christian hosts a noon doubleheader against The Master's on Saturday (Mar. 28).

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RIVERSIDE (5-27-09) — San Diego Christian College centerfielder SCOTT WHITTET slugged a game-tying, 2-run homer Thursday (Mar. 26), but Cal Baptist took advantage of the Hawks bullpen for the second straight day, going on to a 15-4 victory and a sweep of the 2-game Golden State Athletic Conference series at Totman Stadium.

Whitter followed a RYAN INVERSO double with a shot to left field for his second homer of the season to tie the ballgame at 3-all. However, the Lancers (19-14, 10-12 GSAC) answered with 13 of their 19 hits off the relief corps.

CBU second baseman Cole Bullard and shortstop Dominic Zuniga knocked in three runs each, while pinchhitter Brett McIntosh gained a 2-run single.

For San Diego Christian (9-23, 2-18 GSAC), first baseman DONALD ARTHUR batted 4-for-4, while Whitter and Inverso registered two hits each. Whittet also recorded three RBI.

The Hawks are home on Friday (Mar. 27) at 3 p.m. against Oregon Tech, then Saturday with a noon doubleheader with The Master's.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (3-26-09) — Cal Baptist University centerfielder Matt Johnson, the runaway leader in runs scored in the Golden State Athletic Conference, crossed home plate twice more Wednesday (Mar. 25), as the visiting Lancers topped San Diego Christian College, 18-2, at Stars Field.

Johnson has now scored 41 runs this season, with no other GSAC player recording more than 30.

Sean Kelley and Jake Johnson each batted 2-for-3 and scored three times for CBU (18-14, 9-12 GSAC), handing San Diego Christian (8-19, 2-18 GSAC) its 10th straight conference setback.

Cory Allen (CBU courtesy photo by Chase Paulson)

The Hawks stayed within striking distance through six innings, trailing just 5-1, until the Lancers broke loose for 13 runs against the bullpen over the final three innings. A total of six SDCC errors made six CBU runs unearned.

Hawks leadoff batter RYAN INVERSO went 3-for-3, including his 10th double of the season for the left-fielder, to now rank third among GSAC batters. Meanwhile, shortstop RUBEN HINOJOSA and third baseman ANTHONY VELASCO drove home runs for San Diego Christian.

The two teams compete in a home-and-home series Thursday in Riverside . The Hawks then return home for three ballgames: a Friday non-conference contest with Oregon Tech at 3 p.m., then a noon Saturday GSAC doubleheader with The Master's.

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LA MIRADA (3-22-09) — The number 3 proved to be a bad omen for the San Diego Christian College baseball team. In both games during Saturday's (Mar. 21) doubleheader at Biola, the host Eagles produced 3-run rallies which proved to be the difference to their Golden State Athletic Conference sweep. Game scores were 6-3 and 4-2.

To make matters worse, Hawks pitchers TIM ACHESON and DONALD ARTHUR combined for the Hawks' best pitching effort of the season in the nightcap, yet lost despite throwing – you guessed it – a 3-hitter.

In the opener, San Diego Christian overcame a 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the 8th, only to see Biola answer with three runs for the victory.

The Hawks' 2-out rally featured a basehit by JESUS NEVAREZ, as pinchrunner DANNY MITCHELL scored on a RYAN INVERSO double on an 0-2 pitch. Centerfielder SCOTT WHITTET followed with a 2-run homer – his first of the season – to get even.

However, Biola catcher Taylor Loop answered with a double down the right-field line to beak the deadlock. Loop drove in a pair of runs on 2-for-4 hitting.

In the second game, Biola took advantage of two walks, the first runner scoring on a sacrifice fly, then Loop struck again with another 2-run homer for a 3-0 1st-inning lead.

Biola would get only two more hits against Acheson and Arthur, but all SDCC could muster was a pair of runs on RBI hits by second baseman GRANT WALKER and Inverso.

Biola moved to 16-13 (9-7 GSAC). San Diego Christian, which lost its 11th straight conference contest, fell to 8-18 (2-16 GSAC).

The Hawks open a week-long, 6-game homestand by hosting Sioux Falls (S.D.) at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Stars Field.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (3-20-09) — Former Valhalla High and Grossmont College standout ZACH BARGER drove home four runs on 4-for-5 hitting, helping Concordia College rally from a 5-run deficit to slide past San Diego Christian College, 8-6, in Golden State Athletic Conference action Thursday (Mar. 19) at Stars Field.

Among Barger's hits was a 2-run homer in the 8th inning, when the Eagles tied the ballgame at 6-all. Barger, an All-East County selection in 2004, then broke the deadlock with a 2-run single in the 9th, when Concordia struck twice more to extend the Hawks' GSAC losing streak to 7 straight contests.

Following a double and an error, SDCC decided to intentionally walk Kyle Konicek to gain a chance at a force out, but instead, Barger drilled a pitch up the middle for the go-ahead basehit.

Concordia reliever Cameron Hayne then entered and retired the Hawks in order to record his second save.

The Hawks (8-16, 2-14 GSAC) built a 6-1 lead before Concordia (12-9, 9-8 GSAC) scored seven unanswered runs.

Tied at 1-all, San Diego Christian scored 3 times in the 5th. ANTHONY VELASCO and JESUS NEVAREZ both registered doubles down the right-field line to take the lead. SCOTT WHITTET bunted to squeeze home another run, then RYAN INVERSO scored on a wild pitch.

Nevarez also singled home a run in the 6th, capping a 3-for-4, 2-RBI performance.

San Diego Christian returns in action Saturday with a noon doubleheader at Biola. The Hawks then play 9-of-10 game at home, beginning Tuesday against Sioux Falls (S.D.) in the first of six home games over five days next week at Stars Field.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (3-15-09) — MANNY HERNANDEZ and RUEBEN HINOJOSA each recorded two hits, an RBI and scored twice to give San Diego Christian College an 8-4 lead in Saturday's (Mar. 14) second game of a Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader. However, Fresno Pacific University proved why they are the NAIA's 12th-ranked ballclub, coming back to claim a 12-8 win at Stars Field.

The Sunbirds (16-7, 10-6 GSAC) also took the opener, 15-4. The host Hawks fell to 8-15 overall (2-13 GSAC).

San Diego Christian scored in each of its first four at-bats, capped by a 3-run rally in the 4th. However, after GRANT WALKER lined out into a double play to end the rally, Fresno Pacific erupted for 8 unanswered runs for the win, as catcher Jared Coleman slugged a 3-run homer in the 5th.

Both Hernandez and Hinojosa also posted two hits each in the opener. However, FPU's Josh Jackson went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI, while Dwight Nixon cracked a 2-run homer.

San Diego Christian returns home Thursday, meeting Concordia at 2:30 p.m.

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IRVINE (3-12-09) — One day after establishing an array of hitting records, the other two phases on the San Diego Christian College baseball team fluttered.

The result: six errors and 23 hits allowed saw Concordia University take an easy 19-3 triumph in Golden State Athletic Conference action Wednesday (Mar. 11).

Among the Eagles starters, the top 8 in the starting line-up knocked in runs, including a 2-run homer by first baseman Jimmy Mittleberger. However, the team leader was reserve second baseman Keegan Reilly-Pina, who registered 3 RBI on 2-for-3 hitting.

Concordia (10-8, 7-7 GSAC) mounted a 12-0 lead before the Hawks (8-13, 2-11 GSAC) could answer on consecutive run-scoring at-bats by NATE MADDOX (single) and TERRY WEST (sacrifice fly). But the Eagles immediately bounded back with 6 runs in the 6th, taking an 18-2 advantage (7 of the runs were unearned).

Only the San Diego Christian catchers could do anything with the bat. Starter BRYAN ROBARA went 2-for-4, then JESUS NEVAREZ came in and went 2-for-2 with an RBI single in the 9th.

San Diego Christian returns home on Saturday at noon, meeting Fresno Pacific in a GSAC doubleheader at Stars Field.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (3-11-09) — Taking out mass frustrations following a 2-10 start in Golden State Athletic Conference play, San Diego Christian College accrued a variety of team records in a 27-5 pasting of La Sierra University in Tuesday's (Mar. 10) non-conference ballgame at Stars Field.

The Hawks (8-12 overall) set single-game marks for runs, hits (24) and RBI (26) to whip the Golden Eagles (1-12), a ballclub which recently lost to Claremont Mudd, 33-3, and Cal State San Marcos, 26-3.

Left-fielder RYAN INVERSO batted a perfect 4-for-4, with three RBI and a pair of runs scored. Included was a lead-off triple as the Hawks scored four times in the first, then SDCC scored 13 more times over the next two frames to mount a 17-1 lead through three innings.

Reserve shortstop BILLY FUSTON came off the bench to bat 2-for-3. He also drove in four runs, as did starting third baseman ANTHONY VELASCO, who went 3-for-3.

For the contest, the Hawks stroked seven doubles and two triples, yet did not homer off the La Sierra pitching staff. Meanwhile, Hawks starting pitcher TIM ACHESON yielded just three hits and an unearned run over five innings to collect his first victory of the season.

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COSTA MESA (3-8-09) — San Diego Christian left-fielder RYAN INVERSO lined a solo homer in the 3rd inning, but Vanguard University quickly answered with a 6-run rally, as the host Lions went on to a 9-1 victory and a sweep of Saturday's (Mar. 7) Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader.

Vanguard (5-10, 3-8 GSAC) captured the opener, 11-9, to leap over the Hawks (7-12, 2-10 GSAC) in the conference standings.

A big inning also doomed SDCC in the opener. After the Hawks scored twice in the 1st, Vanguard scored 8 times in its first trip to the plate, including a 2-run homer by Keegan Freeman to quickly tie the contest.

However, San Diego Christian would eventually knot the ballgame at 9-all with five runs in the 6th, capped by a 2-run single by MANNY HERNANDEZ. But the Lions scored twice in the 7th for the victory.

Hernandez, the designated hitter, went 3-for-5 with three RBI and a double, while second baseman TERRY WEST also drove in three, going 2-for-4 and scoring twice. In addition, Inverso batted 2-for-5 with a pair of runs and two RBI.

The Hawks return home Tuesday for a 2 p.m. non-conference contest against La Sierra University at Stars Field.

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SANTA BARBARA (3-1-09) — In his first start of the season at catcher, San Diego Christian College senior BRYAN KOBARA hit a solo home and drove in two other runs Saturday (Feb. 28), lifting the Hawks to a 12-4 triumph over Westmont to gain a split of a Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader at Russ Carr Field.

Along with Kobara's three RBI, four others – MANNY HERNANDEZ, DONALD ARTHUR, NATE MADDOX and ANTHONY VELASCO – also knocked in two runs each for the Hawks (7-9, 2-7 GSAC).

Westmont (3-16, 2-9 GSAC) took the opener, 10-3.

Kobara hit a 1-out homer to right field in the 6th. The rally continued when RYAN INVERSO walked, then Hernandez slugged a two-out, 2-run homer, also to right field.

Meanwhile, Hawks pitcher AUSTIN MELLANICH tossed a 7-inning complete game. He was only hurt once when Warriors catcher Mark Magdaleno belted a 3-run homer in the 2nd. But by then, SDCC already mounted a 6-0 lead, then posted three more in the 3rd for a 9-3 advantage.

Kobara's only RBI came in bases-loaded situations, once walked to force in a run, then getting hit by a pitch to push home another. Hernandez went 3-for-5 and scored three times, finishing the twinbill going 5-for-7. Arthur went 2-for-3 and scored twice.

In the opener, Westmont pitcher Drew Dowl tossed a complete-game 7-hitter for the victory, despite three Warriors errors. Magdaleno again20homered with a solo shot in the 4th.

San Diego Christian next plays on the road at crosstown rival Point Loma Nazarene on Thursday (Mar. 5), starting at 2:30 p.m.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (2-26-09) — San Diego Christian College junior SERGIO PANELA became the fifth Hawks pitcher to throw a 9-inning complete game Wednesday (Feb. 25), limiting 3rd-ranked Point Loma Nazarene to just five hits in a 5-1 triumph over the Sea Lions in Golden State Athletic Conference action at Stars Field.

Panela struck out four batters, yielding just a 4th-inning leadoff homer to PLNU third baseman Wes Kartch. Both victories for Panela (2-2) this season came via complete games, the first coming in an abbreviated 5-inning affair called by darkness against Bethany during the opening weekend of the season.

Kartch's blast to right field tied the ballgame at 1-1. But the Hawks answered with 2-run rallies in the 6th and 8th to win and take over the all-time series lead over PLNU, 5-4, after downing their crosstown rivals for the 4th time in the last five meetings.

It was the first GSAC victory of the season for San Diego Christian (6-8, 1-6 GSAC), while knocking the Sea Lions (11-4, GSAC 6-1) into a first-place deadlock with 8th-ranked Azusa Pacific.

Hawks infielder RUBEN HINOJOSA powered the offense by going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Included was a 2-run home run to right-centerfield for a pair of important insurance runs for Panela.

In the 6th, Hinojosa singled to left to score SCOTT WHITTEN to take the lead, then MICHAEL GARCIA's squeeze bunt brought home DONALD ARTHUR, who earlier registered an RBI single in the 1st.

The Hawks return to action Saturday with a doubleheader at Westmont (2-15, 1-8), starting at 11 a.m.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (2-24-09) — The pain and anxiety suffered by the San Diego Christian College baseball team over the past two weeks just simply disappeared.

Aided by a game-tying, 2-run single by pinchhitter NATE MADDOX, the Hawks shocked Cal State San Marcos by scoring four times in the bottom of the 9th inning to claim an 8-7 non-conference decision Monday (Feb. 23) at Stars Field.

"It felt good to not roll over, chip away at them, and put up some runs and get a win," said Maddox, a former infielder relegated to designated hitter duties due to injury, "He just hung a curveball over the middle and that was that."

Moments following Maddox' basehit to left, the first pitch in an intentional walk to RUBEN HINOJOSA bounced to the backstop, allowing EDDIE PRYOR to ramble home from third base with the game-winning run.

Gone is a 6-game losing streak thanks to the first walkoff victory in Hawks history (sans extra-inning games). In 2007, SDCC had also scored four in the 9th for a comeback victory against Westmont, but it wasn't the walkoff variety; the game was in Santa Barbara, allowing the Warriors another trip to the plate.

"Our last two losses to Azusa Pacific were good losses – we've been playing tough teams," added Maddox. "And we brought that intensity today to comeback to win."

The Hawks (5-8 overall) trailed 5-1 and 7-4, but a pair of youngsters came out of the bullpen to put the freeze on the bats of San Marcos (5-3).

"Our relief pitchers, both who are freshmen, came in and got the job done," noted Hawks head coach JIM ASPER. "And DANIEL REITZ got behind the dish and threw a runner out at second base to take the wind out of Cal State San Marcos in the 1st inning."

"We're a program that is developing, but will be heard from."

Reitz was catching for the first time in three years. Yet he guided the relievers to not allow a run over the final three innings to keep the Hawks close.

The big inning started when the first three SDCC batters reached base off San Marcos releiver ERIC JULIENNE (Valhalla HS). GRANT WALKER accepted a lead walk, TERRY WEST punched a pinch-hit single to right, then RYAN INVERSO reached on an infield single to the hole at shortstop.

Pryor, who played for Cal Poly Pomona last year following two seasons at Grossmont College, forced home a run with a walk to trim the deficit to 7-5. He then moved to third on Maddox' basehit to left as the tying runs scored in front of him.

"I was able to take the extra base on Maddox' hit, then the ball bounced over the catcher's head and I just raced home," said Pryor. "It was a great comeback, especially since the last two weeks have been rough for us – we were close to a turnaround in a game at Azusa."

"It feels real good, especially knowing a couple of the guys on the other team who I played against them in junior college."

The 6-game losing streak were all against teams in the NAIA national rankings. But that's not what the Hawks' skipper wants to hear.

"We don't want excuses – we're playing good ball, but we opened with perhaps the top three teams in conference to open," added Asper, "And San Marcos is a fine team, too."

"We're doing some good things on the field, but we've come up one hit short or one play short – that's been the difference in the majority of our games. We just have to compete and not let our guard down and keep our heads in the battle."

San Diego Christian took a quick 1-0 lead in the 1st. Inverso opened with a lead double, then with two out, he stole third base, coming home on a throwing error by the catcher.

San Marcos answered with 5 runs in the 4th, three on a homer to right by Ricardo Moran.

SDCC answered an inning later on a 2-run single by designated hitter MANNY HERNANDEZ to make it 5-4, but Moran made it 7-5 on an RBI single in the 6th before the Hawks bullpen closed the contest with 4 innings of 1-hit ball.

BLAZE McENTEE, who struck out two batters in a perfect 9th, collected his first collegiate victory.

The Hawks return to GSAC action Wednesday, hosting Point Loma Nazarene at 2 p.m. before again heading on the road for a 5-game trip.

Notes — Besides extra inning games, the only other walkff hit in Hawks history, scoring once in the 9th to down Biola, 4-3, on Apr. 21, 2007. Monday's game was the first walkoff when trailing in the 9th.

Azusa Pacific second baseman Ryan Dowell hauls in a high throw, yet will tag out San Diego Christian's Nate Maddox in his attempt to steal a base. The Cougars swept, 5-4 and 11-5. (Photo by Ken Williams, Azusa Pacific)

© East County Sports.com
AZUSA (2-22-09) — First, it was Cal Baptist playing with a chip on its shoulders, taking out frustrations on San Diego Christian College . Now the Hawks' luck got even worse.

Forced to relocate Saturday's (Feb. 21) doubleheader away from Stars Field due to poor field conditions, now they faced an Azusa Pacific ballclub which was seeking to establish a school record for longest home winning streak in program history.

Of course, the 8th-ranked Cougars established the new standard. Snapping the mark of 18 set back in 1971, APU extended the streak to 20 straight following a Golden State Athletic Conference sweep, 5-4 and 11-5.

The results begs the question: Just who is the GSAC schedule maker?

In the opener, DANNY MITCHELL, the pinch-runner for catcher MANNY HERNANDEZ, moved to third base on a NATE MADDOX double, scoring on a groundball by RUBEN HINOJOSA to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning.

Azusa Pacific answered with three runs in the 2nd, but the Hawks answered with single markers in the 5th through 7th innings. Maddox tied the game in the 6th with an RBI double down the left-field line to score CHRIS BRARD. An inning later, Hawks leftfielder RYAN INVERSO slugged a solo homer with one out, his second of the season.

However, Azusa answered to tie the game in the 7th, then won it in the bottom of the 9th on an error to establish the new home-field win streak record.

In game two, Hinojosa, went 2-for-3 with four RBI, including a 2-run homer in the 1st for another quick Hawks lead. However, Azusa Pacific first baseman Brice Cutspec (3 RBI) and leftfielder Stephen Gillette (4 RBI) each homered to forge the comeback.

With the sweep, Azusa Pacific improves to 13-1 overall (5-1 GSAC to move into first place). San Diego Christian (4-8, 0-6 GSAC), which dropped every game on its extended 6-game road trip, hosts Cal State San Marcos in a non-conference contest on Monday (Feb. 23) at 2 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
RIVERSIDE (2-20-09) — Cal Baptist University, following an embarrassing 3-1 loss to a Westmont ballclub which entered the contest with a 1-10 record, took out its frustrations on Thursday (Feb. 19).

In the Lancers' first Golden State Athletic Conference action since falling to the Warriors, it was San Diego Christian College which found itself in the wrong place at the wrong time, falling 19-3 at Totman Stadium.

The game was moved to the Inland Empire due to unplayable conditions at Stars Field because of recent rains. In addition, the Hawks' doubleheader with Azusa Pacific on Saturday has also been relocated and will be played at Azusa at 11 a.m.

Cal Baptist, which received votes in the NAIA national rankings, moved to 11-2 (3-2 GSAC). SDCC fell to 4-6 (0-4 GSAC) after dropping its fourth straight contest.

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SANTA CLARITA (2-15-09) — If San Diego Christian College could choose one ballpark never again to visit for a baseball game, it would once again be Reese Field at The Master's College.

For the third consecutive season, the Mustangs dominated the Hawks to secure yet another Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader sweep, taking Saturday's (Feb. 14) contests, 5-0 and 10-1.

In the opener, Tim Woodward struck out six Hawks en route to a complete-game, 5-hit shutout.

In the second contest, the Hawks scored a quick run in the 1st inning. Still, three Mustangs pitchers combined on a 4-hit triumph.

San Diego Christian's lone run came when right-fielder SCOTT WHITTET reached on an infield single, stole second base, then came home on an error on a ball hit to the right side by centerfield CHRIS BRARD.

The Hawks (4-5, 0-3 GSAC) opens a 5-game homestand Thursday (Feb. 19), hosting Cal Baptist at Stars Field, starting at 2 p.m.

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RIVERSIDE (2-12-09) — In its first action in more than a week, San Diego Christian College mounted an early 4-0 lead, but Cal Baptist rallied back to claim a 7-5 victory in the Golden State Athletic Conference opener for the visiting Hawks at Totman Stadium.

The Lancers (8-1, 1-1 GSAC) capitalized on an SDCC error in the 6th, scoring three unearned runs after two were out to take a 6-5 lead on hard-luck losing pitcher RYAN FISCHER, who had just entered the ballgame following five solid innings by Hawks starter EDDIE PRYOR.

The key hit was a 2-run single by Cal Baptist third baseman Zach Hedges.

The Hawks (4-3, 0-1 GSAC) jumped on Lancers starter Taylor Siemens early

First baseman DONALD ARTHUR doubled down the left-field line, eventually opening the scoring on an RBI basehit by shortstop ANTHONY VELASCO.

Consecutive singles by NATE MADDOX and RYAN INVERSO scored Velasco for a 2-0 lead. Then a wild pitch and a throwing error allowed the pair to score to double the lead.

The remaining Hawks came in the 4th, when CHRIS BRARD doubled to center, scoring SCOTT WHITTET.

Inverso and Arthur each recorded two hits for the Hawks. Hedges went 3-for-4 and scored a run for the Lancers, which is listed among the honorable mention in the NAIA national rankings along with The Master's, the Hawks' next opponent in a road doubleheader slated for this Saturday (Feb. 14) at 11 a.m.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (2-5-09) — San Diego Christian College shortstop RUBEN HINOJOSA and catcher MANNY HERNANDEZ each registered four hits and knocked in a run, as the Hawks equaled a school record with 24 hits in pounding visiting La Verne, 9-3, in Wednesday's (Feb. 4) non-conference game at Stars Field.

The 24 hits equals the record set in SDCC's third-ever ballgame, played on the road against UC San Diego almost two years to the day on Feb. 6, 2007.

Seven different Hawks drove in home runs, including a pair by right-fielder SCOTT WHITTET, who batted 3-for-5 and scored twice. Left fielder RYAN INVERSON went 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles.

Meanwhile, Hawks starting pitcher DONALD ARTHUR struck out 4 over 5 1/3 innings, moving his record to 2-1. Reliever AUSTIN BELLANICH allowed just two singles over the final 3 2/3 frames for his first career save.

With the triumph, SDCC moved to 4-2. It was the season opener for the Leopards (0-1).

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (1-24-09) — For two long seasons, SERGIO PANELA suffered with little offensive support while pitching for Imperial Valley College. But his debut with San Diego Christian College offered him a fresh start.

Backed by six runs, including an inside-the-park home run by El Capitan High product RYAN INVERSO, Panela tossed a 5-hit shutout in pacing the Hawks to a doubleheader sweep of Bethany University (CA) in the teams' season openers at Stars Field. SDCC won 16-9, then 6-0 in a contest called after five innings due to darkness.

Panela has pitched several times in the East County for IVC, but posted an 0-4 career record against Grossmont College , including three setbacks in 2008. Nevertheless, Panela gained an All-Pacific Coast Conference berth in balloting by the coaches, as he received just three runs of support against the Griffins.

So Panela was all smiles after watching the Hawks gang up on Bethany pitching for 22 runs in the team's 13 trips to the plate over both contests.

"It feels good to be around a new program with a bunch of different guys," said Panela, who tossed the second shutout ever for a program which entered its third campaign on Friday (Jan. 23). "The atmosphere is good and everyone is working hard – and I've got some offense behind me."

Offense and defense.

"My mentality is to keep throwing strikes and whatever happens, happens – just keep going after it," added Panela. "And now, I feel confident in my team's defense, so I know I can make a good pitch and get some ground outs. And my outfielders have more room to run balls down here, too."

Meanwhile, the opposite occurred to the Bruins on a key defensive lapse, when a drive rolled all the way to the 430-foot marker in straightaway centerfield.

Leading 2-0 early, the Hawks caught a break when Inverso's drive to centerfield skipped past the Bruins defender who tweaked his ankle in an attempt to cutoff the ball. By the time help arrived from left field to retrieve the ball, Inverso circled the bases to mount a 4-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Panela struck out five and walked just one in posting his abbreviated shutout.

"I had no idea it was only the second shutout for the school," he noted. "But now that I know, it feels great."

The performance was pleasing to first-year head coach JIM ASPER, who recently retired as a sergeant from the Escondido Police Department. He most recently served as an assistant coach at Mission Hills High in San Marcos, but is now 2-0 running his own program.

"We've got TROY AFENIR and myself working with the pitchers, working on issues that we've heard about, but haven't experienced and we don't want to experience," said Asper. "The pitchers are listening to what is being instructed to them, they're applying it, and the results speak for themselves while bringing glory to the Lord."

In the opener, catcher MANNY HERNANDEZ batted 3-for-5 with 4 RBI and 3 runs scored, as San Diego Christian scored 7 times in the 4th inning to overcome an early 2-0 deficit to claim an 8-2 advantage.

Third baseman BRYAN KOBARA, shortstop RUBEN HINOJOSA, first baseman DONALD ARTHUR and designated hitter JESSE McDONALD all knocked in two runs as part of an 18-hit attack.

The triumph allowed San Diego Christian to continue a streak of always capturing its season opener in three tries. They defeated Cal State San Marcos, 14-8, in the program's first-ever ballgame in 2007, then downed La Sierra University, 24-3, last season.

"The kids played great in both ballgames, applying what we've been working on over the past four weeks," added Asper.

The ballclubs are slated for another twinbill here Saturday, starting at 11 a.m.