Christ College Irvine Wins by Forfeit When Azusa Pacific Fails to Show Up

IRVINE — The Christ College Irvine baseball team moved into first place in the Golden State Athletic Conference Friday, winning two games by forfeit with Azusa Pacific.

A doubleheader was scheduled for Friday at Irvine after a rainout March 21 and several unsuccessful attempts to reschedule. Although the athletic directors of CCI and Azusa Pacific agreed to play the games April 9, the conference’s baseball representative, Westmont Coach John Kirkgard, ruled Tuesday that the games be played at the next available date, which was Friday.

Christ College had the field prepared and umpires on site at noon Friday. The umpires called the forfeits, which improved CCI’s record to 20-7; 8-2 in the conference. Azusa Pacific is 17-10, 6-4.

Although CCI has the backing of the conference, Azusa Pacific is disputing the forfeits.

Azusa Pacific Coach Tony Barbone said he has made an official request to have the executive committee of the conference review the decision to play Friday. Barbone said he wasn’t aware his team would forfeit if it failed to show.

“I’m somewhat appalled that the attempt to reschedule the game between two professionals, (CCI Coach) Scott Sarver and myself, has come to this,” Barbone said. “I’m embarrassed at this point. I don’t blame Scott. I don’t blame anybody. There were numerous attempts by both schools to reschedule this.

“I would like Azusa Pacific to be beaten on the field and not in the office. I think it’s very disappointing.”