The Master’s Stops SCC in NAIA Playoffs

Senior Ruben Escobar retired 13 of 15 batters, including 11 in a row, and escaped three jams as The Master’s defeated Southern California College, 3-1, in the first round of the NAIA Far West sectional baseball playoffs Thursday at Azusa.

Escobar went 8 1/3 innings, striking out five, but tired in the ninth, giving up three hits and a run to Southern California College (22-22). Eric Fuller came on and induced a pop out and ground out to end the game for his first save.

Today, The Master’s (34-8) plays Azusa Pacific and SCC plays Concordia.

In the other playoff game:

Azusa Pacific 4, Concordia 2--After Concordia took a two-run lead in the first inning on Chad Smith’s home run, Azusa Pacific pitcher David Doyle retired 14 of the next 16 batters. The Cougars scored three runs in the fourth to take the lead. Azusa Pacific also scored in the fifth. Concordia is 21-25.