Concordia Slugger Bly Is Hitting at Torrid Pace, but That’s Only Natural

Concordia baseball player Derrick Bly has never been hotter at the plate.

Last week Bly, a senior third baseman, batted .733 and led the Eagles to four consecutive victories. He hit two home runs in a game twice in the week.

Bly also hit well in losses to Golden State Athletic Conference rival Azusa Pacific. In six games, he was 15 for 21 (.714) with five home runs and 12 runs batted in. His slugging percentage was 1.570.

The flurry has raised Bly’s season average to .463 and he has a 13-game hitting streak, but Concordia Coach Jackie Schniepp says he expects such production from Bly.

“I told him, ‘I don’t really think you’re on a hot streak, Derrick. I just think you’re hitting up to your ability,’ ” Schniepp said. “He’s capable of hitting .400 or .500 in our league, which is just about unbelievable at other levels. I think he can do it--with power.”

Bly, who hit four home runs last season after he transferred to Concordia from Pima College in Tucson, Ariz., has six this year, one short of the single-season school record.

“After seeing everybody in the conference,” Schniepp said, “he’s probably the most dangerous hitter. In close ball games, every time he comes to the plate, he’s got a chance to tie it up or win it. He’s the first legitimate power hitter we’ve had.”

Bly, who bats cleanup, worked hard in the weight room during the off-season, gaining about 15 pounds. He is 6 feet, 205 pounds.

Bly, who has a 3.5 grade-point average and will graduate this spring, plans to join the Navy and study investigative services after giving baseball a shot. “I hope I continue to swing the bat,” he said, “because it’s always been a dream of mine to play pro ball.”

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The Chapman baseball team had one of its most significant victories in recent years Tuesday, beating Cal Lutheran, 3-1, at Hart Park.

Before the game, Cal Lutheran had the best credentials of any NCAA Division III team in California. The Kingsmen were 12-3 and their 9-0 record in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference included a three-game sweep of defending Division III champion La Verne.

But Chapman starter Justin Miner, a junior transfer from Los Medanos College in the Bay Area, held them to three hits.

Miner, 3-1 with a 2.67 earned-run average, kept Cal Lutheran off balance with his changeup and induced 15 ground-ball outs.

The Panthers (8-5) host Cal Baptist at 2:30 p.m. today at Hart Park and play in the Southwestern tournament in Georgetown, Texas, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

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Chapman’s defending NCAA Division III champion softball team continues to excel. The Panthers are 6-1 and two players are working on impressive streaks.

Sophomore pitcher Christy Guidorizzi (5-0) has won 14 consecutive decisions, including the nine in a row she won to finish last season. She is tied for ninth on the all-time Division III list, halfway to the record of 28.

Lisa Cancilla, who didn’t strike out in 137 at-bats last season, has batted 19 times this year without striking out. She is batting .421.

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Nikee Pool, a Southern California College junior, finished second in the 1,000 meters at the NAIA indoor national track and field championships. Pool was timed in 2 minutes 54.39 seconds. Carolyn Murray of Simon Fraser won in 2:53.69.