LA JOLLA, Calif-  UC San Diego got the upper hand in this weekend's big baseball series with Sonoma State, taking a 7-4 win in Friday's opener.  Konrad Thieme had two home runs in the game for the Seawolves, but it wouldn't be enough as the Seawolves fall to 35-6, 19-4 CCAA.  The Tritons improve to 35-9, 19-6 CCAA and move within one game back of the Seawolves in the conference standings.

The Tritons entered the game ranked No. 1 in the NCAA West Region rankings and No. 8 in the nation.  The Seawolves, the defending conference champions, were No. 2 in the region and No. 2 in the nation.

Sonoma State's Dave Herman led off with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball.  After Kris Haycock walked to put runners on the corners, UCSD starter Kirby St. John struck out the next Seawolf for the first out.  Ian Bridges singled down the right field line for an RBI and SSU led 1-0.  St. John retired the next two SSU batters without further damage.

 

SSU made it 2-0 when Konrad Thieme homered to lead off the second. 

 

Garrett Imeson and Tim Mort led off the UCSD second with consecutive singles, but they were erased on a double play.  With two on and two outs, Bonelli came through with the two out RBI, pulling UCSD within one.  Vance Albitz followed with a triple to left field for two RBI and the Tritons pulled ahead 3-2.

 

In the SSU sixth, Bridges and Tyrese McDaniel reached to put runners on the corners with no outs.  St. John got a double play on the next batter for two outs before SSU scored to pull even at three.  Thieme then homered to right, his second of the game and tenth of the season, and the Seawolves pulled ahead 4-3.

 

In the UCSD sixth, Mort led off with a triple to center and scored on Nick Burke's RBI groundout to tie the game at 4-4. Kehoe led off the UCSD seventh with a double to center.  With one out, Imeson doubled to left for the go ahead RBI as UCSD took a 5-4 lead.  Mort followed with an RBI single up the middle for the 6-4 lead.  Burke followed with a single and advanced to second on the throw, putting runners on second and third with one out.  Benton followed with a sac fly to center for an RBI, pushing the Tritons ahead 7-4. 

 

Tim Shibuya pitched a perfect seventh and eighth innings, striking out four and not allowing a baserunner.  Keith Noe earned the save, his twelfth of the season.

Nick O'Brien (3-2) was tagged with the loss for Sonoma State.

The teams will meet in a doubleheader on Saturday with first pitch coming at 11:00 am. 

Box Score