ROHNERT PARK, CALIF. - On Saturday, May 6th, the Sonoma State baseball team battled the elements and waited out an unexpected rainstorm in Sonoma County to take on San Francisco State in their season finale. The wait would prove to be worth wild as the 2023 SSU seniors would be honored pregame, and then make their impact on the field with seven of the nine seniors making an appearance and contributing to the team's 5-run victory.
2ND AND 3RD INNING:
The Seawolves would put up seven runs in just two innings of play, taking firm control of their regular season finale and earning a senior day victory. A great story on senior day, outfielder
Ryan Wilmoth would get his first start of the season and score a pivotal run during SSU's 3-run third. Wilmoth would finish the game one for three with a single in the 3rd inning and a run scored.
The Seawolves scoring would get started in the 2nd inning with an RBI single from second baseman
Elijah Munoz. After a one out single from
Kenny Decelle to load the bases, San Francisco State would make a pitching change with
Cooper Callison coming to the plate. Callison would waste no time and rifle the first pitch back up the middle off the Gators shortstop. Two runs would come in to score as SSU took a 3-1 lead.
First year player
Mark Hernandez would cap off the inning with a one out RBI single to left center, scoring
Kenny Decelle and giving the Seawolves a 4-1 lead at the conclusion of the 2nd inning.
In the 3rd, SSU would do their damage with two outs, recording three hits and scoring another three runs to take a commanding 7-1 lead. With two runners on, Decelle would come to the plate again and shoot a single to right center. Third base coach Zack Pace would waive
Chris Ortiz home on a close play but an errant throw would get by the catcher and allow
Ryan Wilmoth to follow Ortiz on another close play at the plate. Wilmoth would dive head first into home and jar the ball loose, scoring the run and giving Sonoma State a 6-1 lead as he ignited the SSU dugout. A two out RBI single from
Mark Hernandez would cap off a three run inning as Sonoma State held a 7-1 lead after three innings.
SSU PITCHING:
Despite giving up 11 hits, the Sonoma State pitching staff would have a successful day, going through seven pitchers and seeing key performances from four different senior pitchers.
Blake Janowicz would make his 9th start of the season and give up just one run in his two innings of work. Fellow senior
Vito Rodin would follow and strikeout a batter for a scoreless third inning in his third appearance this season. Veteran right hander
Michael Benz would pitch the 4th and 5th innings allowing just two hits. Then, in the 6th, sophomore
Marika Lyszczyk would continue her historic season with the SSU baseball program as she made her third appearance and retired the SF State batters in order with three fly ball outs. After becoming the first female baseball player in school and conference history, Lyszczyk finishes the season with three appearances and a perfect 0.00 ERA, allowing just a single hit and zero earned runs.
Scotty Kato,
Ross Goldschlag, and
Chase Banks would piece together the next three innings for the Seawolves as they held on for the 10-5 season finale victory. Benz would get credit for his 2nd win of the season after his two innings of work and head coach
John Goelz and his group would finish an even .500 on the season with their 22nd win.
Kenny Decelle,
Cooper Callison,
Mark Hernandez, and
Daniel Monti would each have a multi-hit day as the Seawolves recorded 14 hits, good for second most on the season.
2023 SENIORS:
With the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, Sonoma State athletics would like to thank the nine seniors for their dedication and commitment to the SSU baseball program and properly representing Sonoma State University on and off the field. Congratulations to
Lucas Townsend,
Jake Dent,
Nick Roth,
Ross Goldschlag,
Michael Benz,
Ryan Wilmoth,
Vito Rodin,
Blake Janowicz, and
Ian Anderson on their terrific SSU careers.
CONCLUSION OF 2023 SEASON:
After battling to the very end, Sonoma State proved to be one of the most balanced teams at the plate and in the field. They conclude the season with seven wins out of their final eight games and even out their overall record at 22-22 and 16-20 in conference play. For full 2023 season stats head to sonomaseawolves.com.
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