ROHNERT PARK, Calif-  Following a tough loss in game one of their doubleheader on Saturday afternoon with Grand Canyon, Sonoma State stormed back for a 9-1 win in the nightcap to earn a split.  The Seawolves, ranked No. 2 in the nation, go to 34-5 on the season.  The Antelopes are now 9-28.

With Saturday's split, the Seawolves are now neck and neck with the 2007 squad, which was 34-5 after 39 games as well. 

Antelope starter Ryan Hoffner did a fantastic job against the potent Sonoma State lineup in game one.  Despite entering the game with a record of 1-8 and an ERA over eight, Hoffner allowed just four hits and two runs in seven and a third innings to pick up the win. 

Grand Canyon got to Sonoma State starter Gary Moran for two runs in the first inning and they would not trail again.  The lead was pushed to 5-1 in the top of the eighth before SSU picked up a run to pull within three.  It could have been worse, however, as the Seawolves had the bases loaded yet they were only able to score the one run. 

Things got interesting in the ninth.  Sonoma State led off the inning with singles by pinch hitters David Adler and Nick Nosti.  After Kyle Jones and Robert Walden were walked to force in one run, Kris Haycock produced an RBI ground out to make it 5-4.  Ian Bridges was then walked to load the bases for Tyrese McDaniel.  The senior from Fresno did what he needed to do, getting a slow roller to the second baseman and seemingly driving in the tying run.  However, the second base umpire motioned that Bridges interfered with an attempted double play, thus ruling McDaniel out to end the game with no run scoring.  McDaniel easily beat out the relay throw from the Antelope shortstop, but it was decided by the umpires that Bridges was out of line in his attempt to break up the double play.

Bridges was 2-for-4 in game one to boost his average to a CCAA-high .430.  Gary Moran was charged with the loss after allowing two runs in three innings of work.  He is now 4-2 on the season.  Kyle Jones hit his fifth home run of the season to tie Tom Everidge's freshman record, set in 2002.

In game two, the Seawolves pounded out nine runs and twelve hits in the seven-inning win.  Leading 2-1 after four, Sonoma State put five runs on the board in the fifth, courtesy of an RBI single by Steve Warner and a three-run jack from Vance Otake. 

SSU tacked on a couple more runs in the sixth when Ryan Averkieff hit his first homer in a Seawolf uniform and Warner produced another RBI single. 

Kevin Asselin was awarded the win after a solid 3.1 inning relief appearance.  He struck out four and allowed just one walk and two hits to improve to 6-1 on the year.  Kenny Cook got the start and pitched well, allowing four hits over 3.2 innings. 

Of SSU's five losses this season, four of them have been by one run and two of them were in extra innings.  The one loss that wasn't by a single run, a 5-2 loss to Chico State, would have been a Seawolf win had the wind not blown down a potential Tyrese McDaniel walk off grand slam.

The Seawolves and Antelopes will close out this four-game series tomorrow with a single game, starting at 11:00 am.

Game One Box
Game Two Box