There were only four games on Tuesday, but they each featured a pair of Southern California ball clubs. All four turned out to be tight affairs with three decided by one run — including a game that featured a seven-run comeback and another that featured an extra-innings walk-off.
We’ve got your quick roundup of all four games with photo galleries from the dramatic San Diego State/UC Riverside game and the UC Santa Barbara upset of UCLA:
San Diego State 8, UC Riverside 7
UC Riverside (3-5) jumped out to a 7-1 lead after five innings, but San Diego State (6-2) clawed its way back into the game with three runs in the seventh inning, two in the eighth to move them within one run and then two in the ninth inning to take the lead. Ty France doubled home the tying run and then scored on an error by shortstop Austin Roberts.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Highlanders put the tying run on third with one out after a single, sacrifice bunt and passed ball, but Aztecs’ new closer Michael Cederoth struck out Nick Vilter and pinch hitter Robby Witt to end the game.
The teams combined for 31 hits led by Tim Zier‘s four base knocks for SDSU. CJ Saylor added three hits for the Aztecs while Riverside’s Francisco Tellez and David Andriese both had three knocks as well. Cody Thompson picked up the win with two shutout innings. Cederoth is a perfect 2-for-2 in save opportunities.
CBD photographer David Cohen was on hand for the dramatic comeback. Here’s his top photos:
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UC Irvine 3, Loyola Marymount 2 (11 innings)
The heartbreak continues for the 2-6 Lions. Through eight innings, pitchers Brandon Horth, Tim Peabody and Bret Dahlson allowed two hits. LMU held a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Freshman third baseman/closer Tyler Cohen took over on the mound. With one out, Cohen hit Ryan Cooper, who stole second and advanced on a groundout. Pinch hitter Jonathan Munoz sent the game to extra innings with a two-out, two-strike RBI single through the left side.
Two innings later, UC Irvine (5-3) officially broke the Lions’ heart with three consecutive singles — the last a game-winning RBI single by Evan Cassolato, who was 2-for-3 after entering as a pinch hitter earlier in the game. The Irvine bullpen was outstanding. It didn’t allow a hit in 6.2 innings and didn’t allow a baserunner after the fifth inning.
Long Beach State 2, USC 1
USC (7-1) dropped its first game after the Trojans couldn’t muster yet another last at bat win after a Garrett Hampson RBI single in the eighth inning plated Long Beach State (3-5) pinch runner Colton Vaughn. Cody Marshall pitched seven innings, allowing five hits and an earned run. Ty Provencher picked up the win while Kyle Friedrichs picked up the save with a 1-2-3 final frame. Timmy Robinson and Kevin Swick each had two hits for USC.
UC Santa Barbara 6, #13 UCLA 4
Peter Maris (2-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, SB) and Tyler Kuresa both homered as UC Santa Barbara (4-1) used a pair of three-run innings to down the Bruins. Start around the 1:05 mark and take a look at the nice swing Maris put on his home run (courtesy of Chance Moore):
Shane Zeile and Luke Persico both reached three times for UCLA (4-4), but starting pitcher Grant Dyer allowed five earned runs in 4.1 innings. The Bruins also committed a pair of errors, giving them eight for the season — an average of one per game. UCLA hasn’t averaged an error per game or greater since 2010.
Here’s the top photos from CBD photographer Shotgun Spratling:
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