ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Battling #12 UC San Diego in a Saturday doubleheader, Sonoma State proved unable to eke out a win, dropping both contests 7-3 in nine and 5-2 in seven innings.
GAME 1
Sonoma State found the first run in each of the two games, as
Joshua Montelongo opened up the scoring in game one. A grounder to third retired Montelongo but a throwing error by the first baseman allowed
Bryce Nagata and
Anthony Clyma to come in and score.
Shay Whitcomb put UCSD on the board in the third with a towering shot to left center which flew out over the 362 sign. They looked poised to add on in the inning as Clarke bashed, what looked poised to be a two run jack to right, but
Zach Guardino was able to make a leaping grab into the fence, robbing the homer and saving two runs.
The Seawolves added another run in the fourth as Nico Toni smacked an RBI double down the left field line but then the Tritons began to work their way back.
A throwing error in the sixth and an RBI double in the seventh pulled San Diego even with Sonoma State, before they took the lead with another RBI double in the frame.
A two-run homer to left put the Tritons up 6-3 in the eighth before they pushed their tally to seven on a bases-loaded fielder's choice in the ninth.
GAME 2
Josh Lenny would open the scoring in game two, as the third baseman brought in Montelongo with an RBI groundout to third in the second. However, the Tritons would strike back in the next frame, scoring twice in the third.
A throwing error on the Seawolves would allow Alex Eliopulos to reach base safely on a bunt attempt and advance to second, while the runners at first and second each advanced two bases on the mishap. Zander Clarke's groundout to short would put the Tritons in the lead 2-1 as Tyler Durna came in to score.
Jesse Moore extended the UCSD lead in the fifth with an RBI single to center prior to the Seawolves' RBI single in the sixth off the bat of Nagata.
Unfortunately, the Seawolves proved unable to pull closer than a 3-2 deficit while San Diego finished off their seven-inning, 5-2 victory with an RBI single and a bases-loaded walk in the final inning.
Sonoma State will return to Seawolf Diamond tomorrow at 11am to complete the four-game series with UC San Diego.