A very intriguing Opening Day with several tight, nail-biting games making the first day of college baseball action in Southern California one to remember.
We’ve got your quick roundup of all the action, plus three photo galleries from around the Southland.
Portland 1, #9 UCLA 0
Travis Radke and the Portland bullpen outdueled new UCLA Friday starter James Kaprielian (5 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K). Shane Zeile had two of the Bruins’ four hits. Worse than the loss was the bad news delivered after the game:
The bad news is Kevin Kramer will miss the rest of the year with the UCLA Bruins.
Loyola Marymount 2, Utah Valley 1
What a debut from two-way freshman Tyler Cohen. In LMU’s first game under the lights, Cohen drove in one of the Lions’ runs with an RBI double, stole a base and scored the other run. Oh yeah…he came on in the ninth inning with a runner on and locked down the victory to pick up his first collegiate save. Colin Welmon (1-0) was his normal reliable self: 7 IP, 5 H, ER, 5 K.
USC 4, Northwestern 3 (11 innings)
USC took an eighth inning lead, blew it in the ninth and stranded runners in the 9th and 10th innings before finally getting the winning run across in the 11th. The Trojans walked-off when Northwestern made an errant throw home with the bases loaded.
St. John’s 2, Pepperdine 0
Senior starter Corey Miller took a tough-luck loss for the Waves. He went eight innings, allowed three hits, one walk and an unearned run while striking out seven. Pepperdine left 10 men on base.
Here are some photos from CBD photographer Shotgun Spratling:
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Bethune-Cookman 2, Cal State Northridge 1
The Matadors apparently forgot to bring their bats to Florida. They managed only four hits. Pepperdine senior transfer Ranny Lowe had one of those hits, but also took the Golden Sombrero with 4 K. Jerry Keel (7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) took the loss.
San Jose State 6, San Diego State 4
Flamethrower Michael Cederoth only made it 3.2 innings ( 5 R, 3 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 6 K). The Aztecs got two on in the ninth inning, but their best two hitters, Greg Allen and Tim Zier, couldn’t do anything.
#1 Cal State Fullerton 11, Washington State 0
Thomas Eshelman (1-0) picked up right where he left off last season, dominating an experienced Cougars’ lineup: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K. Freshman Phil Bickford showed his electric stuff with two scoreless innings. Greg Velazquez led the 17-hit Titan attack, going 3-for-3 with a homer, a walk and 4 RBI.
Here are a few photos from CBD photographer David Cohen:
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San Diego 2, New Mexico 2 (game suspended)
The Toreros and Lobos will resume their season opener in the bottom of the third inning tomorrow before playing their previously scheduled Saturday contest. The game had to be called because of visibility issues caused by a large bank of fog.
Fresno State 2, UC Irvine 0 (10 innings)
Andrew Morales was fantastic once again. He struck out eight in seven innings (4 H, 0 R), but the ‘Eaters couldn’t do anything against Fresno ace Jordan Brink and the Bulldogs’ bullpen. UC Irvine had only three hits, but left the winning run on base in the 7th, 8th, 9th and left another man in the 10th.
UC Riverside 10, San Francisco 2
The Highlanders collected a 10-2 win over San Francisco, beating solid starter Abe Bobb. Jacob Smigelski (6 IP, 2 ER) got the win while last year’s Friday starter, Dylan Stuart, pitched two scoreless innings of relief. UCR’s offense had 16 hits with six players recording multiple hits. Francisco Tellez had two doubles, three hits total and four RBI.
#10 Vanderbilt 5, Long Beach State 2
The Dirtbags took an early lead on stud right-hander Tyler Beede, but it was short lived. Beede (5 IP, H, UER, BB, 7 K) allowed only a bunt single. Three of Long Beach’s five hits were of the bunt variety. Like last year’s series against Vandy, Long Beach struggled in the field: 3 errors led to 3 unearned runs.
Here are some photos from CBD photographer Shotgun Spratling:
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