LOS ANGELES, Calif- After scoring four insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a comfortable 10-5 lead, Sonoma State surrendered six runs, including a bases loaded, game-winning walk to Cal State L.A. in the last frame, giving the Golden Eagles the 11-10 victory in Sunday's series finale at Reeder Field. The loss puts the Seawolves at 23-25 overall and 16-20 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play. The Golden Eagles, who lost the first three games of the series, improve to 18-28 and 16-20 in conference action.
For the third straight game, Sonoma State got off to a fast start, scoring three runs in the first inning on a
Kyle Jones RBI single and a
Ryan Stevens two-run home run. Cal State L.A. countered right back, scoring a run in their first at bat via a Mario Ramirez single.
Brian Wright then gave the Seawolves a 4-1 lead with a RBI single up the middle that scored
Erik Hansen. In the third, Sonoma State loaded the bases with two outs on a couple of walks and a hit by pitch before Wright blasted a deep shot to left field, but Matt Miraldi robbed Wright of the grand slam, ending the inning.
Heading into the ninth with a 6-5 lead, Sonoma State added four more runs with a
Garrett Gooselaw two-RBI single, a run scoring groundout by Hansen and a RBI infield single by
Joey Parigi to put the Seawolves on top 10-5.
With just three outs remaining and facing a four-game sweep, Cal State L.A. wouldn't go away quietly. A two run home run by Sam Wiley got the Golden Eagles within three runs at 10-7. Then, with no outs, CSULA loaded the bases and brought a run home on a sacrifice fly to right field Jesus Campos. Another run scored in the next at bat on a wild pitch by SSU reliever
Mark Lincoln. A single and a hit by pitch reloaded the bases before another hit by pitch brought home the tying run. Wiley then walked in the next at bat, allowing the winning run to cross the plate, giving Cal State L.A. the improbable comeback victory.
Lincoln (1-2) was charged with the loss in his two-thirds innings of work, giving up a hit and the game-winning run.
Casey Slate started the game for Sonoma State, going six complete innings, scattering eight hits, four runs, walking one and striking out five.
Offensively, Stevens and
Austin Hogans had a home run in the ball game and
Cameron Cook went 3 for 5 with a run scored. Gooselaw and Stevens had two RBI to lead the Seawolves in that category.
Matt Stropoli (6-4) earned the victory despite giving up the four runs in the ninth inning. Joe Park went 4 for 5 with three runs scored for the Golden Eagles that amassed for 17 hits in the contest. Max Moya and Wiley had three hits apiece.
Sonoma State will return home Tuesday to take on Cal State East Bay in a single non-conference game, starting at 2 p.m. The Seawolves will then host Cal Poly Pomona Friday through Sunday to end the 2010 season.
Box Score: Cal State L.A. 11, Sonoma State 10
