May 26, 2006

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - A five-run first inning helped the Pacific Tigers defeat Cal State Northridge, 6-2, on Friday, May 26.

The victory moved the Tigers to 28-25 on the season and 7-12 in the Big West Conference. Cal State Northridge, meanwhile, fell to 25-27 overall and 6-13 in conference play.

Pacific's win also clinched the Tigers' first back-to-back winning seasons since 1998 and 1999. The Tigers finished the 2005 season at 30-28 (.517) and with just two games to play are 28-25. Pacific finished 1998 with a 32-24 (.571) mark. In 1999, the Tigers posted a 25-22 (.532).

The Tigers struck quickly in the bottom of the first inning as sophomore Adam Ching (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) and senior Bob Saunders (Oakland, Calif.) singled on the first pitch of their respective at-bat. The third pitch of the inning, struck senior Matt Berezay (Manteca, Calif.) to load the bases.

Pacific's first two runs scored without the benefit of another hit as sophomore Justin Baum (La Mesa, Calif.) was walked to force home Ching, then senior Anthony Jackson (Modesto, Calif.) was hit by a pitch, bringing in Saunders, to give Pacific a 2-0 lead.

Following a strikeout, senior John Devany (Danville, Calif.) bounced into a fielder's choice, plating Berezay and sending Baum to third. The next Pacific batter, sophomore John Joines (Milpitas, Calif.), ripped a single into left field, Baum scored easily on the single, but when the ball got away from Matador Kris Kasarjian, Devany also came around to score, giving the Tigers a 5-0 lead.

Cal State Northridge got on the board in top of the second, when Paul Wilson scampered home on a errant throw from Pacific second baseman Adam Ching.

The Tigers got the run back in the bottom of the third as Devany hit his fourth home run of the season, a solo blast, over the left field wall.

Pacific starter, sophomore Jason Haar (San Diego, Calif.), picked up the win (3-2) as he allowed one unearned run on seven hits in seven innings.

Cal State Northridge starter, Chuckie Fick (6-7), suffered the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits and four walks.

Joines led the Tigers' offense with two hits and one RBI.

Pacific and Cal State Northridge will continue their three game series on Saturday, May 27 at 1 p.m.