Feb. 20, 2009

Box Score

Waco, Texas - The Pacific baseball team opened 2009 in heartbreaking fashion, falling 2-1 in 10 innings to the No. 8-nationally ranked Baylor Bears to drop the first of a three-game series on Friday, Feb. 20.

With the loss, the Tigers start out the year 0-1 overall, as the Bears strike in the win column with a 1-0 record on the season.

Senior LHP Joey Centanni (San Diego, Calif.) (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gave Pacific six quality scoreless innings but left without a decision as sophomore RHP Thomas Berolzheimer (Stockton, Calif.) (0-1) allowed the tying 1-1 run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Berolzheimer took the loss allowing two runs on three hits in one inning of relief. He was charged with the go-ahead run in the bottom of the tenth.

Pacific's offense put Centanni in position for the win in the top of the sixth when sophomore left fielder Nick Longmire (San Diego, Calif.) was hit-by-a pitch with two out, stole second then scored on a single off the bat of senior right fielder Mike McKeever (San Diego, Calif.).

Baylor's starter RHP Kendal Volz (0-0), a pre-season All-American, was in line for the loss, but was given a no decision when catcher Gregg Glime plated pinch runner, Chris Slater, from second base in the ninth on a two-out RBI single to right field.

In the bottom of the tenth, Baylor got a lead off double off the top of the right field wall from Shaver Hansen, followed by a infield single from Raynor Campbell to put runners at the corners with no outs. After the Tigers walked Dustin Dickerson to load the bases, Dan Evatt lifted a game-winning single into left-center field.

RHP Logan Verrett (1-0) earned the win as he pitched his way through four scoreless innings down the stretch.

The Tigers return to action for the second game of the series against Baylor on Saturday, Feb. 21, as senior RHP Cole Akins (Seattle, Wash.) is slated to take on RHP Shawn Tolleson. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT.