March 4, 2008

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific baseball squad dropped a 7-5 decision to BYU on Tuesday, Mar. 4.

The loss dropped the Tigers to 2-6 on the season, while BYU moved to 3-5 overall.

BYU got out to an early 1-0 lead on a solo home run from center fielder Kent Walton in the top of the first. Pacific answered the BYU challenge immediately as the Tigers pounced to a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning as the Tigers took full advantage of a BYU error to plate four unearned runs on four hits.

Senior Adam Ching (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) and freshman Brian Martin (Livermore, Calif.) started the inning with back-to-back singles. The next batter, junior Joe Olliveira (San Diego, Calif.), reached on an error by BYU right fielder Jonathan Cluff as he dropped a fly ball.

With the bases loaded, Pacific junior Mike McKeever (San Diego, Calif.) lofted a deep fly out to center field to score Ching from third. One out later, junior Kurt Wideman (Fallbrook, Calif.) continued his hot hitting with a two-run single into center field to give Pacific a 3-1 lead. Freshman J.B. Brown (Alvin, Texas) followed with a double into left-center to bring home Wideman and push the Tigers' edge to 4-1.

The Tigers added another run in the bottom of the third inning as McKeever led off the inning with a triple, then sophomore Mike Walker (Marysville, Calif.) punched an RBI ground out to second base.

BYU, however, also made the most of an error in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs (one earned) in the frame to chase Pacific starter, junior Larry Holscher (McArthur, Calif.), Holscher allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks in 4.1 innings.

Trailing 5-4, the Cougars tied the game in the top of the sixth, scoring another unearned run thanks to a throwing error by Tiger shortstop, junior Jonathan Lewis (San Lorenzo, Calif.).

Tied at 5-5 heading into the ninth, Pacific reliever Thomas Berolzheimer (Stockton, Calif.) surrendered a lead-off single to Andrew Law. An errant pickoff attempt allowed Law to move to second, then Sean McNaughton chopped a double down the left field line to plate Law. Following a sacrifice bunt, McNaughton scored on a sacrifice fly by Walton to make it 7-5.

Pacific brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, thanks to a pinch-hit single from senior Jason Haar (San Diego, Calif.). The Tigers, however, could not capitalize as Pacific suffered the 7-5 loss.

BYU's Jake Wortham (1-1) picked up the victory, allowing five runs (one earned) on eight hits and one walk in eight innings. Wortham threw 116 pitches and recorded five strikeouts. Jared Miller earned his first save of the season by retiring pinch hitter, senior Noah St. Urbain (Stockton, Calif.) to end the game.

Pacific reliever Mark McCain (Dallas, Texas) was the tough luck loser on Tuesday night, allowing an earned run on three hits and a walk in 3.2 innings.

Ching led Pacific offensively in the loss with three hits and a run scored.

The Tigers and Cougars will battle again tomorrow, Wednesday, Mar. 5 at 6 p.m. at Klein Family Field.