May 4, 2008

Box Score

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Pacific baseball team was unable to overcome a six-run seventh inning by UC Riverside in a 6-5 loss to the Highlanders on Sunday, May 4, at Klein Family Field. Pacific falls to 9-34, 2-16 in Big West Conference play, while the Highlanders improve to 16-25 and 10-5 in league play.

The Tigers got off to an early start in the game, scoring in the first inning on a two-run home-run by junior Kurt Wideman (Fallbrook, Calif.). It was the team-leading fourth home-run of the year for Wideman. A three-run homer by senior Noah St. Urbain (Stockton, Calif.) gave the Tigers a 5-0 lead after four innings.

Tiger starter Tyler Waldron (Pilot Hill, Calif.) allowed just four hits and two walks through his first six innings of work, but had a rough seventh inning. He gave up five runs in the seventh, allowing RBI singles to Jordan Opdyke and Joey Gonzales. Waldron left with the bases loaded, then reliever Casey Neimeyer allowed a three-run triple to center field by Drew Garcia. The bases clearing triple closed the book on Waldron. Neimeyer (1-2) then allowed an RBI double by Tony Nix as the Highlanders took a 6-5 lead. Tiger freshman Thomas Berolzheimer (Stockton, Calif.) came in to get the final out of the seventh, going on to pitch 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Rob Waite allowed just two hits in 3 1/3 innings, earning the victory for UCR and improving to 2-4 on the season. Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his fifth save for the Highlanders. UCR relievers combined to retire 13 of the last 14 Tiger hitters.

Longmire was 1-for-3 with a run scored for the Tigers, finishing the series 7-for-10 at the plate (.700). Joey Gonzales had three hits to pace the Highlanders' nine hit attack.

The Tigers are next in action with a road game at No. 3 Stanford on Monday, May 5. Game time is 6:00 p.m. at Sunken Diamond.