FROM CBB NEWS SOURCES
Game 1: Sonoma State 10 Shippensburg 1
SAUGET, ILL., – Sonoma State pounded out 18 hits, including four home runs, en route to a 10-1 victory over Shippensburg in the first round of the NCAA Division II Championships Saturday afternoon at GCS Ballpark.
Nick Nosti and Mark Pestorich each recorded three hits for the Seawolves, which improved to 51-13 on the season. Shippensburg dropped to 38-25 with the loss.
Matt Means earned the win on the mound for Sonoma State, allowing just one run on five hits in seven innings of work. Means, who improved to 10-1, also fanned eight batters. Tim Freshour (10-5) took the loss for Shippensburg, scattering 10 hits and giving up seven runs.
“Matt Means pitched a good game for us,” said Sonoma State head coach John Goelz. “He has been consistent all year and is just a great competitor.”
Kris Haycock helped the Seawolves to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, delivering a two-run blast over the centerfield fence. He finished the contest with three RBIs. Sonoma State tacked on five runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the eighth. Travis Babin finished with three RBIs, two hits and two runs scored for Sonoma State.
“Sonoma State played well today,” said Shippensburg head coach Matt Jones. “We were a little gun shy and didn’t play our best. We scored just one run today after scoring 46 in the regional tournament. Offensively we just did not keep up.”
Shippensburg scored its lone run of the game in the fifth inning on a Tyler Redick single to shortstop.
The Seawolves advance to play the winner of Central Missouri and Franklin Pierce on Monday at 6:30 p.m., while Shippensburg will take on the loser at 2:30 p.m. on Monday in an elimination game.
Central Missouri State 13 Franklin Pierce 12 (11 innings)
SAUGET, ILL. – Central Missouri scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning, rallying from a six-run deficit against Franklin Pierce to knot the game at 12-12 before Balin Bergman was hit by a pitch, sending Clay Weatherford home for the game-winner in the 11th inning, lifting the Mules to a 13-12 victory Saturday night in the first round of the NCAA Division II Championships at GCS Ballpark.
The two teams combined for 31 hits in a game that lasted four hours and 24 minutes. Central Missouri improves to 46-15 and advances on to play Sonoma State on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Franklin Pierce drops to 43-14 and will face Shippensburg at 2:30 p.m. on Monday in an elimination game.
Chris Matlock (5-2) garnered the win for the Mules, working three innings and allowing just one hit, while striking out five.
Kyle Vazquez (7-2) took the loss for the Ravens, going two and two-thirds innings. He gave up one run on three hits.
Blaine Rutledge was 3-for-4 at the plate for Central Missouri, with four RBIs and two runs scored, while Weatherford had a game-high four hits and four runs scored, including the game-winner. Bergman finished with three hits and three RBIs.
“We have to give a lot of credit to Chris Matlock for coming in and slamming the door,” said Central Missouri head coach Tom Myers. “Blaine Rutledge was also big for us at the plate tonight. It was a good and exciting win for us.”
Cliff Hicks went 3-for-4 with two runs scored for Franklin Pierce, while Kevin Rivers, Derek Ingui, Scott Savastano, Steve Carr and Cliff Hicks all finished with two hits. Randy Bernosky recorded a team-best three RBIs.
