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SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – After having to travel across the country Saturday, the Davenport baseball team has arrived in Southern California to make the program's debut in the NAIA National Opening Round, which begins Monday with host The Master's at 3 p.m. EDT. Also in the Mustang campus for the opening round are San Diego Christian, Vanguard and British Columbia competing in a double elimination bracket. Fans can follow the Panthers via live video and stats by clicking here.
 
NAIA National Opening Round (Santa Clarita Bracket)
Dates: Monday, May 12 – Thursday, May 15
DU First Pitch: 3 p.m. EDT
Location: Santa Clarita, Calif. (Reese Field)
Internet Coverage: Live Stats/Video
Twitter: @DUAthletics | @DU_BSBALL
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A Quick Look at The Master's
Despite an impressive 37-16 record, The Master's is looking to bounce back from an early exit in the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament after 16-year head coach Monte Brooks' ballclub suffered losses to Vanguard and eventual champions Westmont (Calif.). In fact, the Mustangs have lost three straight contests including the nightcap of the doubleheader against Westmont that prevent them from clinching both the GSAC regular-season championship and the right to host the league tournament.
 
A Quick Look at San Diego Christian
The doubleheader split The Master's had with Westmont eventually handed the GSAC regular-season crown to San Diego Christian, the first championship in school history. Under the leadership of fifth-year skipper Chris Bando, the Hawks cruised through the GSAC Tournament, defeating Westmont 6-2 in the opener and putting an offensive barrage in a 22-9 victory over Vanguard. But the Hawks momentum came to an abrupt halt in the championship round when Westmont came from the loser's bracket and handed San Diego Christian a 17-11, 13-5 defeat to win the tournament.
 
A Quick Look at Vanguard
Vanguard, the third member of the GSAC to be in the Santa Clarita bracket, is coming off having edged the Mustangs 1-0 in 11 innings before being knocked out by the Hawks and Warriors on the second day of the league tournament. Despite the 32-21 overall record, second-year Rob Pegg and his Lions survived a brutal schedule filled with ranked opponents in the conference to post a 21-15 mark.
 
A Quick Look at British Columbia
The University of British Columbia, the only school representing Canada in the NAIA Opening Round, earned an automatic berth to nationals as the NAIA West Tournament champions, defeating Concordia (Ore.) 4-1. Under veteran head coach Terry McKaig, the Thunderbirds are on an eight-game win streak to improve their record to 32-11 overall while finishing the NAIA West 20-8.
 
Baseball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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