CHICO, Calif- Sonoma State capped their improbable run through the 2008 CCAA Championship on Saturday with a 7-4 win over Chico State in game two of Sunday's exciting championship doubleheader. It is the second straight CCAA title for the Seawolves and the fifth in ten years since joining the conference, in 1999. The win gives the Seawolves (46-13) momentum heading into the NCAA West Regionals, to be held next week.
The Seawolves got home runs in the game from
Travis Babin and
Ian Bridges, as well as a tremendous pitching performance from
Matt Garnett. Garnett, in relief of
Nick O'Brien, pitched the final 5 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits.
Though the Seawolves would not trail in the game, they would have a hard time shaking the Wildcats. After two runs in the top of the first and fourth were answered in the bottom of the inning by the Wildcats, the Seawolves pulled ahead for good when Bridges homered to left and
Mark Pestorich delivered a sacrifice fly.
SSU tacked on one more run in the seventh, before relying on Garnett to close the door.
Konrad Thieme went 3-for-3 in the game to lead the 13-hit Seawolf attack.
Nick Nosti, Bridges, Babin, and Pestorich each had two hits. For Nosti, the two hits gave him 11 for the tournament, just two off the record.
Travis Babin was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. The third baseman/relief pitcher hit three home runs, his first three of the season, and had a win and a save on the mound. He was joined on the All-Tournament team by
Ian Bridges,
Konrad Thieme,
Nick Nosti, and
Matt Garnett.
Sonoma State had to win three consecutive elimination games, including two against Chico State on their home field to win the title. It was the fourth time SSU has claimed a CCAA title on Chico State's home field. They also turned the trick in 1999, 2001, and 2003. It also marks the first time the Seawolves have won a CCAA crown in an even-numbered year ('99, '01, '03, '07).
Since coming to Sonoma State in 1986, head coach John Goelz has claimed nine league titles- 1990, 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2007, and 2008.
Box Score
Details regarding next week's NCAA West Regional Tournament will be announced by the NCAA late on Sunday night. Chico State is expected to host, Sonoma State has a good shot at the No. 1 seed. Information will be posted on sonomaseawolves.com as soon as possible.
CCAA All-Tournament Team
Catcher: Konrad Thieme (Sonoma State)
First Base: Ian Bridges (Sonoma State)
Second Base: Travis DeCoito (Chico State)
Third Base: Travis Babin (Sonoma State)
Shortstop: Kyle Eveland (Chico State)
Left Field: Nick Nosti (Sonoma State)
Center Field: Klye Loretelli (Cal State Stanislaus)
Right Field: Jimmy Dodos (Chico State)
Designated Hitter: Josh Meagher (Chico State)
Pitcher: Mike Robbins (Chico State)
Pitcher: Matt Garnett (Sonoma State)
Most Outstanding Player: Travis Babin (Sonoma State)