Claremont Can’t Answer Bell Against Cal Lutheran

MOORPARK — The blistering line drive that Claremont-Mudd’s Bryan Coin sent at Cal Lutheran pitcher Richard Bell in the fourth inning was a hot shot, all right.

But it was Bell and the Kingsmen who made Claremont run for cover Saturday with an 8-0 victory in the final game of the five-game Division III West regional at Moorpark College.

The victory, in the second game of a doubleheader, advanced Cal Lutheran (30-12-1) to the Division III championships for the third time in five seasons. The Kingsmen play Oshkosh (Wis.) on Thursday at Salem, Va. Oshkosh (33-4) won the Midwest regional.

Bell (9-3) went the distance and allowed four hits, struck out 11 and walked three. The victory was sweet redemption for the junior left-hander, who lasted just two innings in a 17-4 loss in the series opener Thursday.

“That was a tough loss,” Bell said. “Thursday, I felt like nothing, but today felt good. It was a good outing, where I didn’t knock myself out of the game.”

Claremont (29-16) couldn’t take him out, either. Bell had a two-hitter through eight innings, recording at least one strikeout in every inning except the ninth. He retired the side in order four times.

“He got himself pumped up,” said Marty Slimak, Cal Lutheran coach. “I think he just felt like he needed another chance to prove what kind of a pitcher he is, and he proved that today.”

The Kingsmen also joined Bell on the rebound. They permitted a lead to slip away in the first game, losing 8-3.

Junior right-hander Rudy Lesko (2-2), making his first start of the season, allowed four hits and held a 3-2 edge through six innings but the Stags scored five runs in the seventh to go ahead, 7-3.

“I think the guys were disappointed,” Slimak said. “We just let that one get away. But there was nobody really down. They were just upset we let it get away.”

The Kingsmen supported Bell with seven hits and took advantage of nine errors to score seven unearned runs.

Mike Young and Frank Maldonado each went two for five in the second game for the Kingsmen. Young had two hits and drove in a run in the first game.