2014 San Luis Obispo Regional Day 3 Recap – Pepperdine Wins

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Cal Poly 5, Sacramento State 4

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly knocked around Sacramento State starter Justin Dillon for five runs in four innings and held on for a 6-5 victory.

Zack Zehner rocketed a solo homer in the second inning to put the Mustangs (47-11) up 2-0 and John Schuknecht provided a two-run double in the fourth inning to make it 5-1.

The scrappy Sacramento State Hornets (40-24) scored two runs in the fifth inning, chasing Cal Poly starter Justin Calomeni, but sidearm reliever Bryan Granger quelled the rally getting a double play on on of the first pitches he threw.

Cal Poly closer Reed Reilly came on in the seventh inning to get out of a jam, but in the eighth inning the Hornets pushed two across against him. But inevitably, Sacramento State ran out of outs.

Scotty Burcham notched three hits and scored two runs for the Hornets. Left fielder Kyle Moses continued his strong weekend with two hits, a run, a stolen base and an RBI.

Schuknecht and Nick Torres both had two hits and two RBI for Cal Poly while Mark Mathias reached base three times and scored twice.

Full recap & photo gallery — CBD Photo Gallery: Mustangs End Sac State’s Season, 6-5

Cal Poly Post-Game Presser:

Sacramento State Post-Game Presser:

Pepperdine 10, Cal Poly 6

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Despite an early 5-0 deficit, Cal Poly first baseman John Schuknecht said the Mustangs knew they were going to come back Sunday night at Baggett Stadium. Cal Poly (47-12) did just that, scoring two runs in the eighth inning to tie Pepperdine, 6-6.

But the Waves (42-16) responded with a four-run ninth inning highlighted by Bryan Langlois go-ahead, bases-clearing triple that followed three consecutive infield singles.

Pepperdine tacked on an additional insurance run before finishing off a 10-6 victory to win the San Luis Obispo Regional and advance to its first ever Super Regional appearance next weekend.

Langlois twice battled to lengthy at bats that featured him fouling off several two-strike pitches. Both times he came out the victor with a two-run single in the second inning and the three-run triple in the deciding final frame. Langlois finished with a career-high five RBI.

Brandon Caruso also drove in two runs for the Waves and scored a pair, to boot. As he has all season, Mark Mathias led the Mustangs, going 4-for-5 at the top of the lineup.

Cal Poly finally found the power stroke on Sunday, getting a pair of homers from Jimmy Allen and Nick Torres — but both came with no one on base. When men were on base was when the Mustangs struggled, scoring only six runs on 14 hits thanks to nine runners left on base.

Allen went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Torres reached base three times, going 2-for-3 with a run and three RBI. John Schuknecht also continued his All-Regional weekend with two hits, two runs and an RBI.

Pepperdine starter Jackson McClelland allowed three runs in five innings, but took a no decision when the Mustangs came back to tie the game. Cal Poly starter Danny Zandona retired the first five hitters, but then allowed five runs on five hits and two walks before being pulled.

Taylor Chris was phenomenal in relief, allowing only one run on three hits in 6.1 innings heading into the ninth inning, but three infield singles, Langlois’ triple and a sacrifice fly uglied up his stat line. He took the loss.

Chandler Blanchard (1-1) picked up the win in relief for Pepperdine after the Waves’ offense rallied in the ninth inning.

With the win, Pepperdine advances to the Fort Worth Super Regional where it will take on TCU. (Dates are still to be determined.)

Pepperdine Post-Game Presser:

Cal Poly Post-Game Presser: