LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- In a game that featured seven home runs and saw a combined 36 runs cross the plate, Sonoma State managed their way to the winning end of a crazy 21-15 slugfest, earning a four-game split in Los Angeles.
The Seawolves' 21 runs on 23 hits marked the most scored by a Sonoma State team since their 32-7 defeat of CSU Monterey Bay back in 2009. Their offensive showing was highlighted by
Bryce Nagata who went 6-for-7, driving in seven, while connecting for two doubles and two home runs on the day.
Grant St. Martin also blasted two balls over the fence, going 3-for-5 with five runs batted in and three extra-base hits.
Sonoma State jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by St. Martin's first home run of the game--a three-run shot to left. The Eagles would respond in the bottom of the inning by scoring three runs to narrow Sonoma's lead to 4-3, but in the second inning, Sonoma State managed to add on. The visiting team scored three more runs in the second to push their lead to 7-3, and while Cal State LA would score one run in the bottom half of the inning, the Seawolves countered with seven runs in the top of the third. Four of those third-inning runs came on one pitch when Nagata connected for a grand slam. A sac fly would push the Seawolves' lead to 12-4 before St. Martin smashed his second home run of the game, a two-run shot to left. By the time the inning had ended, Sonoma State had taken a commanding 14-4 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, Cal State Los Angeles put themselves back in the game with a big inning of their own. The hosts scored five runs, highlighted by Sean Watkins three-run homer. The home team had another huge inning in the sixth, posting four more runs to pull the game within one. Watkins hit his second long ball of the game to start the inning, before Spencer Sundahl connected for a three-run jack, bringing the score to 14-13.
Sonoma responded to LA's two big innings by scoring five more in the seventh, pulling away 19-13. Over the course of the next two innings, the Eagles managed to score two more runs bring the game within four runs 19-15. In the top of the ninth with a runner on first, Nagata hit his second home run of the game, pushing the Seawolves lead to seven.
Nicolas Vega earned the win out of the bullpen for the Seawolves, pitching 2.2 innings of relief and giving up five runs. Sonoma State turned to
Tanner Murphey and
Joshua Medina to close out the game, who combined for 2.1 innings of one-run ball. For the home team Andross was hooked with the loss, managing only two innings in his performance, giving up nine runs (six earned) and falls to 3-3 on the year.
The Seawolves improve to 22-16 and 18-14 in the CCAA. They return home next week to take on the first place Cal State Monterey Bay. The four-game series will begin Friday, April 20. First pitch will take place at 2:00 pm.
