Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
CALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE
  • Cal Maritime

    Cal Maritime

  • Northern New Mexico College

    Northern New Mexico College

  • Pacific Union College

    Pacific Union College

  • Simpson University

    Simpson University

  • Stanton University

    Stanton University

  • Westcliff University

    Westcliff University

  • Central Christian College of Kansas

    Central Christian College of Kansas

  • Walla Walla University

    Walla Walla University

ERAU Sweeps Its Way to Cal Pac Tourney Title
Posted: May 03, 2024

ERAU Sweeps Its Way to Cal Pac Tourney Title

Embry-Riddle powered its way past Benedictine Mesa, 9-7, in the championship game of the 2024 California Pacific Conference Baseball Championship at HoHoKam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz. The Eagles, the #2 seed in the postseason, drove to their first tournament title by sweeping all three games—winning by a total margin of 28-13—with the final two victories coming against the top-seeded Redhawks.  With the win, ERAU claims the Cal Pac's automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, with Opening Rounds being played regionally May 13-16.  The winners from each Opening Round move on to the championship round at Lewis-Clark State, Lewiston, Ida.

Box Score

BENU (33-15) was able to put runs on the scoreboard in four innings, but every time the Redhawks scored, ERAU (29-18) answered.  BENU scored seven runs on 11 hits, but the Eagles scored nine on 14, including the only extra base hit of the game—Drew Barragan's two-run shot in the 4th inning.

Things looked promising for the Redhawks being able to force a second championship game when they scored quickly in their first at bat on Daniel Miranda's RBI-single to center.  But BENU gave a run right back to the most potent offense in the Cal Pac, and one of the best in the NAIA, when an error brought in a run in the bottom of the 1st.

ERAU pushed in front when Cal Pac Player of the Year Travis Strickler grounded out in the 2nd, bringing home a runner, but BENU answered with a on Carlos Parra's single in the 4th, and the game was tied at 2-2.  But as they did throughout the game, the Eagles replied, and in a big way.  Javier Izaguirre's ground ball was misplayed into another unearned run, and Barragan, the Cal Pac Defender of the Year, made BENU pay with his blast to make it 5-2.

In the 6th, the Redhawks retied the contest with a bases-loaded walk to Joe Cosenza, and then plated another run when Miranda hit into a double play.  Barragan, who leads the NAIA in Hits (89), Doubles (30), and RBI (89), added to two of those stats in the bottom of the 6th when singled home two more runs, and Roberto Garza-Nunez pushed the lead to 8-5 with a single to center.

BENU made things interesting in the 7th when Parra picked up his second RBI-single and Kyle Fenner scored on a passed ball to cut the lead to one, 8-7.  But, once again, ERAU answered with a run of its own when Izaguirre singled in a run in the home half of the 7th.  Noach Tschopp, the Eagles' third pitcher of the game, finished his four-inning stint with two shutout innings, allowing just one hit.

Gavin Botts led ERAU with three hits in four trips to the plate, scoring two times, while Strickler, Izaguirre, Barragan, Garza-Nunez, and Miles Murphy all had two hits.  BENU's Parra also had a great day at the dish, going 3-for-5 with a run and two RBI.  Miranda, Jack Fitzgerald, and Oliver Davies each contributed two hits.

 

CALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

At HoHoKam Stadium, Mesa, Ariz.

Wednesday, May 1

#4 Westcliff 6, #5 Park-Gilbert 3

#2 Embry-Riddle 10, #3 Simpson 2

#1 Benedictine Mesa 10, #4 Westcliff 9

#3 Simpson 13, #5 Park-Gilbert 3

 

Thursday, May 2

Embry-Riddle 9, Benedictine Mesa 4

Westcliff 6, Simpson 5

Benedictine Mesa 15, Westcliff 2

 

Friday, May 3

Embry-Riddle 9, Benedictine Mesa 7