header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Game Recap by Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director

IRVINE — Senior Aaron Shackelford said last week he was confident the Mustangs could produce 10 runs regardless of day, time or opponent.

Master’s needed even more offense than that Monday in a game that lasted so long anyone present might’ve lost track of at least the day and time.

The Mustangs built a four-run lead in the top of the ninth, but a pair of TMU errors opened the door for Westmont to rally and tie on the way to a 16-15 victory in 12 innings at OC Great Park.

The game lasted more than five and a half hours, and its outcome dropped the Mustangs (32-16-1) into an elimination game at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday against Arizona Christian.

Shackelford hit his NAIA-best 33rd and 34th home runs of the year to lead an attack that recorded 18 hits.

Two of the biggest were Roy Verdejo‘s two-run single in the seventh to give Master’s a one-run lead and Kameron Quitno‘s two-run blast that created a four-run advantage in the ninth.

But the Mustangs made two errors with two outs in the final bit of regularly scheduled programming, allowing Westmont to extend a game already four hours long.

Master’s manufactured two runs in the top of the 10th, but Westmont answered with Luke Coffey’s two-run single.

With the bases loaded and two outs, TMU reliever Nick Brooks recovered from a 3-1 count to strike out Taylor Bush and keep Master’s alive. But the game ended in the 12th when Westmont’s Austin Muller walked with the bases loaded.

“We’ve just got to play better defensively,” Shackelford said. “Spirits are high. We’re excited to play some elimination games.”

With the bases loaded and TMU’s lead cut to 13-11 in the ninth, Isaiah Leach roped what could’ve been a walk-off, three-run hit, but the ball skipped over the fence for a ground-rule double, allowing only two to score.

TMU’s Aidan Stout later induced a fly out to force extra innings in a game with plenty of offense.

The teams combined for 35 hits.

TMU’s Anthony Lepre recorded four hits in the loss. Shackelford drove in five runs, walked intentionally four times and moved within four home runs of matching the NAIA’s all-time single-season record.

One thing TMU fans could be sure of this season when they entered Herwaldt Stadium or tuned in online was that the middle of the order would not change, either in personnel or in order: Shackelford would bat second, Lepre third.

The combination worked at a level rarely seen in the NAIA.

Entering Monday, Shackelford and Lepre had combined to hit more home runs (58) than all but 13 of the association’s 182 other teams.

However, when coach Monte Brooks turned his lineup card in for the first game of the GSAC tournament, he flipped the two sluggers, for the first time all year, and slid freshman Will Batz up into the leadoff spot.

The moves paid instant dividends.

In the top of the first, Batz and Lepre reached on infield singles. Then Shackelford bashed a pitch over the fence in left center.

It was Shackelford’s NAIA-leading 33rd homer of the year. Only two NAIA players since 2004 have hit more in a season.

Shackelford rushed through a hoard of teammates on his return to the dugout, taking hold of the team’s newest toy — a replica of the hammer made famous by Marvel Comics superhero Thor — and lifted it high into the air.

The Warriors were wary of pitching to Shackelford again. Westmont starter Grant Gardner walked Shackelford on four careful offerings in his second at-bat. And after Lepre drove in TMU’s fourth run with a double to deep left in the fourth, the Warriors were happy to issue Shackelford an intentional pass.

With Master’s leading 5-4 in the sixth, Gardner pitched to Shackelford, and Shackelford hit a towering fly ball over the fence in right center.

As he approached TMU’s dugout, he again took the hammer and thrust it above his head.

The hammer held no sway over the Warriors.

In the sixth, Westmont scored five runs to wash away what had been a three-run deficit, taking its first lead of the game.

TMU starter Robert Winslow (pictured above) pitched into the sixth inning, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits. But when Westmont put men at second and third with no outs, Brooks summoned ace reliever Stout from the bullpen.

Tyler Roper greeted Stout with an RBI single. Coffey reached on one of TMU’s four errors. And Bryce Morison clubbed a two-run double to left that gave Westmont a 9-7 advantage.

For the Mustangs, the feeling was familiar.

Master’s dropped all four in a set at Westmont on April 12 and 13. The culprits were untimely errors and imprecise pitching. Master’s managed an 8.24 ERA and allowed the Warriors to hit .344 as a team.

Morison was more than a pest.

The senior hit .583 with four home runs and 11 RBIs on his way to conference player of the week honors.

To counteract the slugger, Brooks deployed a fourth outfielder Monday during Morison’s at-bats when no one was on first, sending second baseman Ryan Bricker into right field.

The shift couldn’t help in the sixth, though, when Morison clubbed his go-ahead double. Still, the Mustangs had more left in the tank.

Lepre grounded out to short to score Bricker from third and bring Master’s to within 9-8. Then after an intentional walk to Shackelford and a walk to Max Maitland, Verdejo dunked a two-strike pitch into left-center that brought two runs home.

The game was only beginning.

Here’s the box score.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


WATCH NOW
LOCAL SPORTS HEADLINES
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Monday, Mar 25, 2024
The Master's University men's volleyball team took to the road and came away with a 3-set victory, 25-19, 25-16, 25-22, over the Hope International Royals in Fullerton.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Battling back from a 12-point deficit, The Master's University basketball team had the lead late but could not hold it, losing to the No. 1 seed Freed-Hardeman 68-69 in the Round of 16 at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
GOLETA — College of the Canyons fielded two teams at the annual 3C2A State Preview event at Sandpiper Golf Course on Monday, with the Cougars finishing sixth and eighth in the field of 18 teams from around the state. 
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Cason Brownell had a bases-loaded double in the first and added a home run in the sixth to knock in all four runs The Master's needed in a 4-3 win over Westcliff Tuesday in Irvine.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com