BOX SCORE Box Score: #19 Cal Poly Pomona 9, #30 Sonoma State 4 STOCKTON, Calif. -- Cal Poly Pomona jumped on Sonoma State for seven runs in the second inning on their way to a 9-4 win over the Seawolves on Thursday in the first game of the 2014 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton. Sonoma's chances were dealt an unexpected blow when ace starting pitcher
George Asmus was scratched from his start right before throwing his first pitch. The top-seeded Seawolves will now play an elimination game on Friday at 3:00 pm against either UC San Diego or Chico State.
The Seawolves fall to 27-15 on the season with the loss. Ranked sixth in the regional rankings this week, the Seawolves are competing for a spot in next week's NCAA West Regional. Cal Poly Pomona, ranked third in the region, improves to 32-13.
After throwing a couple of warmup pitches prior to the top of the first inning, scheduled starting pitcher
George Asmus came off the mound with an undisclosed injury. Forced to quickly find an available arm to start the game, head coach
John Goelz turned to
Anthony Pezzola, a junior from Pinole.
Pezzola allowed one run in the first before running into real trouble in the second with four walks. He was removed, but ended up being tagged for five runs total after the Broncos delivered a succession of extra base hits against
Taylor Toccalino.
Down 7-0, the Seawolves settled in, getting a very fine relief outing out of
Jayson Richards, who went six and two-third shutout innings. Over the final seven innings, the Seawolves outscored the Broncos 4-1.
The Seawolves had a couple opportunities to make things interesting, getting multiple base runners in the 3rd, while plating two, and loading the bases in the 7th. Steven Farnworth, the Broncos' starting pitcher, did a nice job limiting the damage, however, striking out four and allowing just eight hits in a 132-pitch effort.
Eric Ehlow led the way on offense, going 2 for 4 with a home run off the foul pole in left field.
Jourdan Weiks and
Justin Serrao each had two hits as well.
Joseph Eusebio had four hits and CCAA MVP David Armendariz went 2 for 5 with three RBIs for Cal Poly Pomona.
The Seawolves will now take on the loser of Thursday night's UC San Diego/Chico State game, at 3:00 pm on Friday.
