May 6, 2006
Box Score
Stockton, Calif. - Behind a complete game from freshman Joey Centanni (San Diego, Calif.) and a 4-for-4 performance from sophomore Justin Baum (La Mesa, Calif.), the Pacific Tigers defeated UC Riverside, 5-4, on Saturday, May 6.
The win ended Pacific's season-long seven-game losing streak as the Tigers moved to 23-20 on the year and 4-10 in the Big West Conference. UC Riverside, meanwhile, dropped to 23-19 overall and 5-6 in conference play.
The Tigers opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning with two runs on four hits. Senior Bob Saunders (Oakland, Calif.) ripped a single up the middle to lead off the inning. After a sacrifice by senior Will Brindza (Sherwood, Ore.) moved Saunders to second, sophomore John Joines (Milpitas, Calif.) lined a single to center field to put runners at the corners. Baum laced a single to left field, driving home Saunders. One out later, senior John Devany (Danville, Calif.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Senior Anthony Jackson (Modesto, Calif.) singled to left, plating Joines, but Baum was thrown out at the plate as Pacific led 2-0.
UC Riverside, however, pulled even with single runs in the third and the fourth inning.
The Tigers answered in the bottom of the fourth as Baum led off with a deep double off the top of the 20 ft. center field wall. Senior Matt Berezay (Manteca, Calif.) followed with a walk. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third for Pacific. One out later, Jackson rifled a two-run single into center field to make it 4-2.
Once again the Highlanders rallied to tie the game, scoring two runs on two walks and two singles in the sixth. Nick Salotti delivered both RBI for UC Riverside as he blooped a bases loaded single into right field with two down.
In the bottom of the sixth, Pacific reclaimed the lead with a single run. Joines was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. The next Pacific batter, Baum, launched his second double of the game down the left field line to put runners at second and third. A wild pitch by Highlanders reliever Marc Rzepczynski, chased home Joines to give the Tigers a 5-4 advantage.
That was all Centanni, the Pacific starter, would need as he tossed his second complete game of the season to move to 4-3 on the year. Centanni allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks in nine innings.
UC Riverside's Taylor Bills (4-4) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits, one walk and four hit batters in five innings.
Baum led the Tiger offense as he was 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Jackson was 2-for-3 with three RBI.
The Tigers and Highlanders will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday, May 7 at 1 p.m.
