FULLERTON – Junior Eric Valdivia established three single-game program records and senior Josh Landry became the school's all-time wins leader as Hope International routed Bethesda 16-3 on Tuesday at Amerige Park.

Valdivia hit four home runs with 11 RBI and collected 16 total bases – all No. 1 in HIU history – and tied a school record with five runs scored.

He hit a three-run bomb in the second to stake the Royals to a 3-0 lead and slammed another three-run shot in the fifth. His third home run was a two-run blast in the sixth. He deposited his fourth homer over the center field fence for another three runs in the eighth, putting HIU up 16-1.

Matias Nolasco also hit a two-run home run – his third of the season – in the fourth. 

HIU's five home runs in the game continued a recent trend of power hitting, as the Royals have blasted 18 over the last nine contests.

The Royals pounded out 15 hits against five Lion Angel pitchers. Isaiah Lane, Colby Moran, Eddie Cotto and David Allen all had two hits.

Yet it was Valdivia's career night that captured the attention of all in attendance. He supplanted three former Royals from the top spot in the single-game home run department, as Alec Arnone, Brennan McKenzie and Tony Monroy held the previous mark with three.

Ten HIU pitchers saw the mound on a staff day. All four regular starters – Franky Lopez, Landry, Jake Thrift and Tyler Tilton – each threw an inning. Landry got the win after tossing a clean second inning, moving his record to 8-2.

More importantly, the southpaw earned his 24th career win, surpassing Trey Seeley (23-4) for the No. 1 spot in HIU lore. Landry is now 24-6 for his career.

HIU has now won eight straight games and the 17th-ranked Royals are 27-11 on the season.

The Royals – in first place with a 16-4 record in the GSAC – ready for a crucial series this weekend at Arizona Christian. The Firestorm are two games back of the Royals in the standings. 

HIU opens the series with a Friday doubleheader at 4:00 p.m.