Cal Lutheran’s Malchow Answers Call to Arms

Brian Malchow says he’s just pitching in for the Cal Lutheran baseball team.

But the Kingsmen might need more of Malchow on the mound this weekend in the NCAA Division III World Series in Salem, Va.

Cal Lutheran (28-13), making its fourth World Series appearance in seven years, plays Central Region champion Aurora, Ill., today at 10 a.m. (PDT) in the opening round of the double-elimination tournament.

The Kingsmen, thanks to an offense Coach Marty Slimak called the best in his five-year tenure, have exceeded expectations, considering the injuries to top pitchers Erik Kiszczak and Jaime Duran, who barely have played.

Yet, pitching ultimately carried the Kingsmen from the losers’ bracket to the championship of the Western Regional last weekend in Abilene, Texas.

Malchow, a 5-foot-9 junior outfielder from Sacramento, is batting .408 with 11 home runs. His 20 doubles are one shy of the school single-season record.

But he became the center of attention in Texas by pitching four hitless and scoreless innings and recording two saves.

Malchow was surprised to learn he was selected the tournament’s most valuable player.

“I see myself as a batter, but I enjoy getting on the mound,” Malchow said. “It’s a good feeling to be in control of a game. But I really didn’t expect to throw at all [this season].

“I just wanted to concentrate on playing outfield and making the team. We just ran out of pitching. Everyone was tired.”

Malchow, who has logged only eight innings this season, earned saves within 48 hours against McMurray and Southwestern.

“When we first started, we weren’t counting on him to pitch,” Slimak said. “We had enough pitching. Next thing you know, he became very important to us.

“He’s usually very good for a couple of innings. We know he can do the job.”

Junior right-hander Adam Springston (8-2), who had two complete-game victories in the regional, will make his 14th start today for Cal Lutheran.

Junior right-hander Matt Deegan (8-0) is scheduled to start for Aurora (31-4), which has won 25 consecutive games.

Tom Canale (4-4), a freshman right-hander, is scheduled to start Sunday for the Kingsmen.

Cal Lutheran plays Sunday at 1 p.m. if it beats Aurora or at 7 a.m. if it loses.