March 30, 2007

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - Despite a fast start, the Pacific Tigers suffered a 13-8 loss to Cal Poly in the first game of the Big West Conference season on Friday, March 30.

With the win the Tigers fell to 7-20-1 on the season and 0-1 in Big West Conference play, while Cal Poly moved to 14-16 overall and 1-0 in Big West play.

Pacific took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as the Tigers took advantage of wildness by Cal Poly starter Frankie Reed. Juniors Adam Ching (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) and Justin Baum (La Mesa, Calif.) each drew walks to put runners on first and second with one out. The next Tiger batter, sophomore Joey Centanni (San Diego, Calif.) grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Baum at second. Centanni stole second, then sophomore Zach Chamberlin (San Rafael, Calif.) laced a two-run single into right field.

Leading 2-0, Chamberlin stole second then sophomore Kurt Wideman (Fallbrook, Calif.) ripped a double down the left field line to plate Chamberlin and give Pacific a 3-0 lead.

Cal Poly tied the contest with a run in the second and a two run single in the third by Kyle Carson.

The Tiger offense went back to work in the bottom of the third inning as junior John Joines (Milpitas, Calif.) delivered an RBI single to score Baum, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning.

Pacific pushed its lead back to three at 6-3 with single runs in the fourth and the sixth innings as Centanni picked up an RBI on a groundout in the fourth and Baum's RBI sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Unfortunately the 6-3 was not enough as Cal Poly scored five runs in the seventh to take an 8-6 lead. The Mustangs added four more runs in the eighth and went on to take the game, 13-8.

Baum led the Pacific offense as he was 2-for-2 with three RBI and a run scored, while Chamberlin finished the game 2-for-5 with two RBI.

Cal Poly's Eric Massingham (1-1) picked up the win as he allowed four runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings of relief.

Pacific starter David Rowse (Pleasanton, Calif.) suffered the loss (2-4) as he allowed eight runs on 13 hits in seven innings.

The Tigers and Mustangs will continue their three game series on Saturday, March 31 at 1 p.m.