LA JOLLA, Calif. ? The UC San Diego baseball team swept a doubleheader against Grand Canyon on Saturday afternoon at Triton Baseball Field. UCSD got strong pitching performances in both games, defeating GCU 7-1 in the first game and 6-2 in the second game. Freshman Guido Knudson won the first game pitching six innings without allowing an earned run, striking out six. Kirby St. John pitched the final three scoreless frames for the save. In game two, Trevor Decker allowed two runs in five innings, while Keith Noe and Nick Rodieck shutdown the win. The Tritons improve to 6-2, while the Antelopes drop to 1-6. The teams will return to the field for the series finale on Sunday with the first pitch slated for 12:00 p.m.
In the first game, Vance Albitz, Justin Bono and Kyle Saul each had two hits in the game. Matt Cantele had two RBI without a hit.
In the UCSD second inning, Bono drove in Garrett Imeson for a 1-0 lead. Albitz and Cantele also recorded RBI in the inning as UCSD scored four total runs and went ahead 4-0.
After UCSD scored an unearned run in the fourth, GCU scored an unearned run in the fifth and the score stood at 5-1 UCSD.
In the UCSD fifth, Evan Domanic walked and stole second with one out. Imeson singled through the left side for an RBI and UCSD led 6-1.
The Tritons added one run in the eighth on a Cantele sac fly.
St. John scattered three hits in three relief shutout innings.
In the second game, Albitz led off with a double to right and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Cantele followed with a sac fly RBI and the Tritons led 1-0.
With the bases loaded and one out in the second, Cantele singled to center driving in two and UCSD was up 3-0.
In the GCU third, Cody Fortney tripled and Trevor Vega singled for an RBI and it was 3-1. Dan Colella singled for an RBI, making the score 3-2 and the Tritons turned an inning ending double play to remain in front.
In the UCSD sixth with two outs, Franco came through with the insurance runs, driving in two and giving the Tritons a 5-2 lead. Imeson added another RBI with a single and the Tritons had a four-run lead.
Decker improves to 1-0, while Keith Noe and Nick Rodieck gave up one hit apiece in one inning each.
