BOX SCORE #12 CAL STATE L.A. 6, SONOMA STATE 4 – BOX SCORE
ROHNERT PARK – The four-game series between two of the top four teams in the CCAA in Cal State L.A. and Sonoma State began with a bang with a Friday afternoon game that featured three homeruns. However, Cal State L.A. was able to get the best of Sonoma State, despite SSU's mid-inning comeback, scoring two runs in the top of the eighth to give the Seawolves a 6-4 defeat. Sonoma State drops to 24-15, 16-13 CCAA while the Golden Eagles improve to 26-13, 23-6 CCAA.
After a scoreless first inning, Cal State L.A's Cody Doyle led off the second inning with a deep solo homerun to right field on the first pitch from SSU starter
Taylor Herbert. The Golden Eagles hit their second big fly of the game in the third inning, this time for two runs off the bat of Jeremy Weber to give the 12
th-ranked team in the nation a 3-0 lead early on.
Sonoma State was able to get one back in the bottom of fifth inning when designated hitter
Marcus Kimura knocked in
Shawn Walters on a single to right center field, putting SSU within two runs at a score of 3-1. The Seawolves put up three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, featuring a two-run shot by
Garrett Schwartz, notching his fifth homerun of the season.
Justin Serrao then hit a sacrifice fly to bring in
Steven Filippi, giving the Seawolves a 4-3 lead.
Unfortunately, the Golden Eagles immediately tied the game at four runs apiece in the top of the seventh, and took the lead in the eighth with two runs, bringing the score to 6-4. Starting second baseman Ryan Cooperstone came on in the bottom of the ninth inning to earn his first save of the season by shutting down SSU.
On the mound, Herbert impressed, pitching for seven and one-third strong innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on five hits while fanning six batters, but was tagged with the loss, dropping to 3-2 on the season. Herbert's opposition, Jordan Sechler, worked for six innings and allowed four runs, taking the no-decision. CSULA reliever Cedar Morgan was credited with his first win of the season by coming into the a tie game and pitching two innings without allowing a hit.
Offensively, Sonoma State scattered five hits, one a big fly by Schwartz, which garnered two RBI's to lead the team for the game. For Cal State L.A., Weber had a two-hit day at the plate in addition to two RBIs and one run scored. Tyler Christian also knocked in two runs in the victory.
Cal State L.A. and Sonoma State will play games two and three of the series in a doubleheader tomorrow. First pitch is set for 11:00 am.
