May 3, 2008

Box Score

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Pacific baseball team fell to 9-33 overall (2-15 Big West) with a 19-9 loss to UC Riverside (15-25, 9-5 Big West) on Saturday, May 3, at Klein Family Field.

UC Riverside struck for a run in the top of the first inning, getting a home-run from Drew Garcia. The Tigers came back in the bottom of the first inning, taking a 2-1 lead on an RBI single by freshman Nick Longmire (San Diego, Calif.) and an error by UCR right-fielder Joey Gonzales on the same play. The errant throw into the UCR dugout allowed Tiger senior Adam Ching (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) all the way from first on Longmire's single.

The Highlanders scored two more times in the top of the second inning, taking a 3-2 lead after RBI singles from Trevor Hairgrove and Carl Uhl. Pacific countered with a run in the bottom of the inning, scoring after senior Noah St. Urbain (Stockton, Calif.) hit a triple and crossed the plate after a wild pitch by UCR starting pitcher Matt Larkins.

In the third inning the Highlanders scored three runs to take a 6-3 lead. They scored on an error by Tiger pitcher Joey Centanni (San Diego, Calif.), a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly by Jordan Opdyke. UCR added a pair of runs in the fourth to take it to 8-3, scoring on an RBI triple by Aaron Wible and a bases loaded walk to Opdyke. Pacific scored two times in the bottom of the fourth frame, getting an RBI single from junior Kurt Wideman (Fallbrook, Calif.) and scoring when St. Urbain hit into a double play.

UCR extended the lead to 10-5 after scoring twice in the top of the fifth inning, scoring on a Tiger error and an RBI single by Wible. The Tigers struck back for two more in the bottom of the fifth, getting runs on an RBI triple by Ching and an RBI ground out by sophomore Mike Walker (Marysville, Calif.).

Another pair of unearned runs came across for the Highlanders in the seventh inning, as UCR scored on a double steal and an RBI single by Tony Nix. The Tigers scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh, scoring on a ground-rule double by freshman Brian Martin (Livermore, Calif.) and a sacrifice fly by St. Urbain.

The Highlanders added seven more runs in the ninth to seal the game. UCR scored on a two-run inside-the-park home-run by Gonzales, RBI triples by Nix and Hairgrove, along with RBI doubles from Uhl and Goetz, and a pinch-hit RBI single from Justin Schultz.

Centanni (0-3) went three and two-thirds innings for the Tigers, allowing eight runs, though just four were earned. UCR starting pitcher Matt Larkins (6-3) picked up the win for UCR, giving up seven runs (six earned) in five innings of work. Ryan Platt pitched the final two and two-thirds innings for UCR, picking up his second save.

Ching was 2-for-5 for the Tigers, and is 18 for his last 34 (.529). Longmire was 3-for-3 with an RBI. Wible led the Highlanders with five hits.

The Tigers are next in action with a home game against UC Riverside on Sunday, May 4. Game time is 1:00 p.m. at Klein Family Field.