ALAMEDA, CALIF. - On Friday, February 4th, the Sonoma State baseball team made their 2022 season debut as they took on PacWest opponent Holy Names to kickoff a three game weekend series that would then resume back in Rohnert Park with a doubleheader on Saturday. Led by head coach John Goelz in his 37th year at the helm, the Seawolves would look to start the season off with a win for the first time since the 2018 campaign where they thumped Holy Names 12-0 at Seawolf Diamond. Despite a promising start to today's contest, the Hawks would storm back and win in walk off fashion 5-4 in a thrilling four hour affair.

Sonoma State would kick off their season opener with a bang in the second inning as senior Josh Lopez would hit a solo shot to right field to give SSU the early 1-0 lead. The Seawolves would capitalize on that momentum the very next inning as veteran utility player Joshua Medina would hit a two run shot to deep left field to give them a commanding 3-0 lead. Outfielder Brandon Herter would battle to a 1-2 count before singling to left field to keep the inning alive. Medina would step up to the plate with two outs and after going down 1-2 in the count just like Herter, he would turn on one to send it over the left field fence and give the Seawolves a two run inning. 

The youngster in Tanner Ivey would get his first career start as a Seawolf on opening day and put up quality numbers in an efficient outing. Ivey would go three strong scoreless innings allowing just 1 hit on 51 pitches. Ivey would also record 4 K's in his three innings of work. Left Ethan Glassman would come in for relief as head coach John Goelz looked to piece together the rest of the game seeking a season opener win. The freshman would struggle in the fourth, however, as he went just two thirds of an inning and surrendered three runs on two hits to Holy Names. The Hawks would tie it back up in the fourth with back-to-back RBI singles after two lead off walks to start the inning. David Newman would come in to end the threat as he helped get the put out on a ground ball to the first baseman. 

Newman would throw 2 and two thirds scoreless innings to keep the score even. Despite surrendering three walks, Newman was able to get out of trouble and gave up only one hit. After Holy Names would get two runners on in the bottom half of the 7th, senior Aidan Dolan would relieve David Newman looking to get out of the jam. Dolan would pitch through a couple of wild scenarios as there was a runners interference called twice in the inning to help keep runners from advancing. Dolan would then induce a pop up to finally end the 7th and keep it a 3-3 game.

The 9th inning would come and with the Seawolves needing some more magic like they had earlier in the game, Jared Esparza and Desmond Gates would provide that as they both led off the inning with back-to-back singles. However, a double play from Brandon Herter would leave Esparza alone at third with two outs, now needing a hit or some help to score the go ahead run. That help would come from the Holy Names pitcher as a wild pitch would plate Esparza and give SSU a 4-3 lead with a chance to close out the game in bottom half of the ninth.

After relieving Dolan in the middle of the 8th and inducing two ground ball outs to end that inning, senior Joshua Medina would remain in the game and attempt to close out the ninth. Medina is more commonly known as a hard hitting and quality infielder but he has had several appearances as a relief pitcher in recent years allowing him to potentially finish the game. After inducing a ground ball for out number one, a walk and double to right field would put the Seawolves in a bind with runners on second and third and one out. Head coach John Goelz would elect to intentionally walk the next batter to allow a force at any base. Despite the strategy, a hard hit ball to SSU's shortstop would plate the runner at third and allow everyone to move up a base, keeping the bases loaded. An unfortunate pass ball the next at bat would plate the game winning run as the Hawks walked it off in a grueling four hour contest, 5-4.  

A crushing late loss for the Seawolves would sting but the series comes to Seawolf Diamond on Saturday as both teams will play a double header to conclude their three game series. Veteran outfielder Desmond Gates led off for the Seawolves and went 2-5 in the game. Brandon Herter would also record two hits in the contest and a run scored on Medina's two run blast. Josh Lopez kicked his season off right as he went 2-3 with a solo shot and was a part of two of Sonoma States three runs on the night. Despite a solid start from Tanner Ivey with three scoreless innings, he would get a no decision while Joshua Medina would pick up the loss. 

Sonoma State starts the season 0-1 but return to action Saturday in a double header with Holy Names at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Live stats and stream links can be found at sonomaseawolves.com and all games can be streamed on the CCAA Network. Be sure to follow your Seawolves on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get all the latest SSU athletics updates and information. Sonoma State athletics also has launched a new fan app in partnership with From Now On. Download the free app today in both the Apple and Google Play stores by searching Sonoma State Seawolves in the app store. @SonomaSeawolves | #NomaNation