The Pacific University baseball team posted a 3-1 record during its four-game stretch at the Cactus Classic at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, recently.
The Boxers (4-1) were victorious over Chapman (10-4; Feb. 10); La Verne (4-2; Feb. 11) and Redlands (6-5; Feb. 12) and lost a 12-0 decision at the hands of No. 23 Cal Lutheran. The 4-1 start for Pacific is its best since a similar start to begin the 2007 season.
In the four games, senior Charlie Dietrich (Aberdeen, Wash.) and sophomore Eli Wisdom (La Grande, Ore.) each had five to lead Pacific. Dietrich hit a pair of home runs in Sunday's win over Redlands. The last player for Pacific to hit multiple home runs in a game was Walker Olis, who hit two roundtrippers against George Fox on April 23, 2016. Dietrich and senior Josh Keithly (Mission Viejo, Calif.) each had four RBI in the four games. Plus, Dietrich extended his season-opening hitting streak with a hit in each game to five contests.
The Pacific pitching staff was led by senior Spencer Backstrom (Bellingham, Wash.), who silenced opposing batters en route to a pair of saves. Backstrom pitched 3.2 innings, allowing just two hits and striking out six. Freshman starter Owen Leonard (Seattle, Wash.) picked up his first college win, allowing just three hits in a six-inning stint against La Verne (Feb. 11). Pacific starting pitching posted a 2-1 mark with a 3.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts.
Next for Pacific is the start of Northwest Conference play when they welcome Whitman to Chuck Bafaro Stadium for a four-game series starting on Saturday, Feb. 18 with a doubleheader at noon. The series ends on Sunday, Feb. 19 with another twinbill at noon. The first three games of the series will count towards the NWC standings and the fourth game will be a non-conference matchup.
