Andrew Morales still has not given up an earned run for UC Irvine, but it was a sacrifice that proved to be the difference in the ‘Eaters game. UC Santa Barbara had another strong showing with a split in Tucson, but both ranked SoCal teams struggled to put runs on the board Saturday. Find out how life in Texas has been for a couple of Big West programs.
When USC and UCLA face off on Sunday, they will be looking to not be the only winless team in the “No-Longer-Dodgertown-Classic” weekend series. Plus all the other Southern California college baseball action as we’ve got your quick roundup of all the Southern California action, plus photo galleries from around the area:
UC Irvine 1, Gonzaga 0
Gonzaga threatened to end Andrew Morales’ streak without allowing an earned run when the Bulldogs loaded the bases in the first inning. Mike Gillespie strolled to the mound spoke a few words to Morales and then gave an earful to the umpire when he came to the mound to break up the meeting. Morales followed with back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning. The succinct Morales talks about his performance:
It was the start of an impressive 1-0 victory for the ‘Eaters, who are now 10-3 after their eighth straight victory. Morales struck out 12 in eight brilliant innings before turning it over to Moore, who struck out the side on 12 pitches to complete the shutout. Moore also picked up his nation-leading seventh save.
The only run came in the fourth inning when Evan Cassolato, who had two hits, led off with a triple and scored on a Ryan Cooper sacrifice fly. Payden Lamb and Mitch Gunsolus had two hits each for Gonzaga while Taylor Jones (7 IP, 6 H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K) took the tough-luck loss.
Here’s CBD photographer Shotgun Spratling’s top photos from the game:
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UC Santa Barbara 7, #12 Mississippi State 6
For the second day in a row, UC Santa Barbara (9-1) knocked off Mississippi State (11-7), one of the SEC West division powers. The bullpen was tremendous, allowing only two hits and an unearned run in 5.2 innings. Woody Woodward reached base four times and scored three times, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk and a hit by pitch. Robby Nesovic had two hits and drove in three runs.
Arizona 10, UC Santa Barbara 5
In a nightcap against the Hi Corbett Tournament host, Arizona, UC Santa Barbara (9-2) dropped its second game of the season, losing 10-5 to snap a seven-game win streak. After the Gauchos took a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning, Arizona immediately responded with the help of three free passes from starter Domenic Mazza. Kevin Newman drove a pitch from reliever Hector Lujan into the left field corner and raced around for a bases-clearing triple.
The Wildcats did the same thing in the eighth inning, responding with three runs after Santa Barbara had scored two in the top half of the inning. Tyler Kuresa, Andrew Calica & Cameron Newell each had two hits for the Gauchos. Newman led Arizona with three hits and five RBI while Trent Gilbert was 3-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, SB.
Pepperdine 10, USC 4
Matt Maurer provided 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win for Pepperdine (11-3) as the Waves scored eight runs in the sixth & seventh innings to win 10-4 at USC.
Brad Anderson had three hits and drove in four runs for Pepperdine, who saddled USC Friday starter Wyatt Strahan with six runs in 5 IP. Kevin Swick led the Trojans with three hits, including a double. USC is now 8-5, having lost five of its last six games.
Houston 4, #9 UCLA 3
UCLA (7-7) couldn’t hold a 3-0 lead against Houston (11-2). The Cougars trimmed the lead to 3-2 against starter Grant Watson and then scored two unearned runs in the seventh inning to pick up the 4-3 win, setting up a de facto championship game against Pepperdine tomorrow for this weekend’s action between UCLA, USC, Pepperdine and Houston.
Justin Montemayor and Caleb Barker both had two hits and an RBI for the Cougars while Pat Gallagher had three hits and an RBI for UCLA.
Long Beach State 7, Utah Valley 3
Trailing 3-1, the Dirtbags (8-6) scored six runs in the seventh and eighth innings to take a 7-3 victory and win the series over Utah Valley. Long Beach State has now won five in a row.
Andrew Rohrbach (2-1) picked up the win (7 IP, 3 ER). Ty Provencher pitched the final two innings to collect his first save of the year. Garrett Hampson had two hits for the Dirtbags. Johnny Bekakis reached three times and Michael Hill hit his fifth triple of the year. Jordy Hart and Craig Brinkerhoff both had two hits for Utah Valley (3-11).
Loyola Marymount 8, Northern Kentucky 3
The Lions (8-7) won their sixth straight game to move above .500. After falling behind 2-0, LMU put a pair of three-spots up in the fifth and sixth innings. David Edwards knocked three of the Lions’ 14 hits. He finished with two doubles, a run, an RBI and a walk. Here he is talking about the win streak after the game:
Tanner Donnels reached three times while Jimmy Jack hit a pinch hit bomb to right field. Zac Asman drove in two runs for Northern Kentucky (3-10).
Here’s CBD photographer Shotgun Spratling’s top photos from the game:
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San Diego State 10, Nevada 4
The Aztecs (10-4, 3-2) evened the series with Nevada (6-8, 3-5), winning 10-4. Six Aztecs had multi-hit performances hits led by Andrew Brown: 3-5, R, 2B, 4 RBI.
Bubba Derby (2-0) didn’t have his best outing (5 IP, 3 ER), but got the win. Michael Cederoth earned his 5th save, entering with the bases loaded in the eighth inning and getting the final five outs without allowing a hit. In the loss, Nevada’s Kyle Hunt and Trenton Brooks both hit solo homers.
Baylor 1, #4 Cal State Fullerton 0
Darryn Shepperd doubled and Adam Toth singled him home in the first inning. That was all the Bears (7-7) needed as they held Fullerton (8-4) to just three hits and handed Justin Garza (5 IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 5 K) his first collegiate loss.
#28 Sam Houston State 2, Cal State Northridge 1
Colt Atwood had another big day for the Bearkats (12-3), going 3-for-3, with a double, a run and a walk, but it was Anthony Azar’s two-run homer in the first inning that proved to be the difference. Brycen Rutherford allowed 2 ER in 7.1 IP. Chester Pak reached safely three times for Cal State Northridge (6-9).
West Virginia 2, UC Riverside 1
The Highlanders (7-7) put a run on the board in the ninth inning, but left the tying and winning runs stranded on base as Pascal Paul struck out David Andriese to end the game. Sean Carley did not allow a run in seven innings to pick up the win for West Virginia (7-4).
Devyn Bolasky finished with three hits and drove in UC Riverside’s only run. Nick Vilter was 2-for-4 with a double. Cameron O’Brien reached three times for the Mountaineers.
Here’s the top photos from CBD photographer David Cohen:
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BONUS: West Virginia 8, Sacramento State 1
Harrison Musgrave (3-0) needed only 76 pitches to breeze through six innings (3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K) before turning the ball over to the bullpen for a nice, relaxing victory. Ryan McBroom was 2-for-3 with a homer and two runs batted in. Justin Fox added a strong game: 3-for-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI.
Here’s some shots from CBD photographer David Cohen:
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