There is only one option in David Iden's mind.

Entering this weekend's showdown with conference-leading La Verne, the Cal Lutheran baseball team is tied for second place in the SCIAC standings.

If the Kingsmen hope to capture their first title in six years, the sophomore infielder believes they need to bring out their brooms along with their bats.

"We have to sweep," Iden said. "We can't afford to lose from here on out if we want a chance."

CLU (20-11, 10-5) opens its three-game series with La Verne (18-5, 1) on Friday on the road at 3 p.m. The Kingsmen return to Ullman Stadium on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.

They complete SCIAC play on April 27 with a three-game series against Redlands.

CLU hindered its chances for a less stressful stretch run by dropping two of three games to Occidental and Pomona-Pitzer. But a tougher road may work in the Kingsmen's favor, says Iden.

"I think we are a much better team when our back is against the wall," Iden said. "We like to come from behind in a lot of games. When the pressure is on, we come through."

The magnified stakes have led to crisper practices this week at Sparky Anderson Field.

"This was probably our best week so far this year," Iden said. "I think we are more dialed in and focused because we know this weekend is pretty big."

Although a conference title is motivation enough, the Kingsmen received added incentive when Vinny Lopez suffered a season-ending injury last weekend.

Lopez tore two tendons in his right shoulder against Whittier after a hard fall on a tag play while running to first base. The sophomore outfielder had surgery on Tuesday.

"We want to win it for Vinny," Iden said. "We are definitely going to have him in mind this weekend."

North campus notes: Dr. Loreto Jackson, the Director of Student-Athlete Performance at Clemson, is scheduled to speak to Cal Lutheran athletes and coaches at 10 a.m. Friday. Jackson will discuss a variety of topics, including athletic performance and nutrition. The men's tennis team is hosting the SCIAC championships on Friday, and will participate in The Ojai beginning next Thursday. Ashley Fleming improved her CLU record in the hammer throw with an event-winning toss of 151 feet, 11 inches at the SCIAC dual meet last weekend. After sweeping Claremont, the CLU softball team improved to 13-5 in conference. CLU has six conference games remaining, including a doubleheader at La Verne on Friday. The women's water polo team suffered its first conference loss and had its six-game winning streak snapped when Redlands beat the Regals 11-10 in overtime. CLU's final regular-season game is Saturday before the conference tournament next weekend.