LA JOLLA, Calif. - The UC San Diego baseball team dropped a 4-3 decision to Cal State San Bernardino in the California Collegiate Athletic Association opener for both teams. UCSD went in front with two runs in the sixth inning, but the Coyotes scored twice in the eighth and held on for the win. The Tritons were led by David Gomez with his four hits and Garrett Imeson added a 3-for-3 afternoon. Jose Navarro pitched well going eight innings and allowing three earned runs. The loss drops UCSD to 6-3, 0-1 CCAA while CSUSB improves to 3-3, 1-0 CCAA.
In the CSUSB second, Patrick Walker singled and Jake Puckett homered with one out to put the Coyotes up 2-0.
In the bottom of the third, Garrett Imeson led off with a double to left center and advanced to third on a balk. With one out, Damian Fante hit a sac fly to right field, scoring Imeson to bring UCSD within 2-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, Imeson tripled over the right fielders head with one out. Chris Hom was hit-by-pitch. CSUSB then pitched out of the inning with a double-play ball and remain in front 2-1 through five.
In the sixth, Gomez singled through the middle and Lawson reached on an error to
put runners on the corners with no outs. David Morehead then singled through
the left side, scoring Gomez as Lawson advanced to second and the score tied at 2-2. Jonathan Erickson then placed a perfect bunt and reached to load the bases with still no outs. With one out, Cantele struckout, but the ball rolled away from the catcher and Lawson raced home for the go-ahead run 3-2. Imeson was intentionally walked to reload the bases with two-outs, but UCSD was unable to add to the 3-2 lead.
Navarro came through with a shutdown inning, retiring the side in order and striking out two.
In the CSUSB eighth, Nick Hammer singled to center and advanced to second with one out after a sac bunt. Brad Croxton then walked to put runners on first and second with one out. Tony Haro flew out to leftfield for the second out. The runners moved up to second and third after a wild pitch and Rego Nieto then had an infield single and both runners would score as the throw to the plate got past the catcher to give CSUSB the 4-3 lead.
In the ninth, Imeson led off with a single, his third hit of the game. Before UCSD could sac bunt the runner over, Imeson was picked off for the first out. The next batter struck out and Fante was hit-by-pitch with two outs. David Gomez battled back from an 0-2 count and drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Matt Lawson then hit a groundball to deep short and was thrown out by a step.
The win went to Mike Rocco (1-0) who pitched eight innings and Hanks earned the save.
The two teams sqaure off again tomorrow at 2:00 pm at Triton Baseball Field.
