LA JOLLA, Calif. ?Trevor Decker's no-hitter against No. 1 Cal State Stanislaus led the 23rd-ranked Tritons to a doubleheader sweep on Saturday afternoon at Triton Baseball Field. After winning the first game by an 8-3 score, the Tritons won game two 6-0, as Decker allowed two first inning walks and was perfect from that point. The senior retired the final 20 batters, striking out three with 10 fly outs and seven ground outs. “Today it all came together for our four-year starter,” said head coach Dan O'Brien. “Having a great ?D,' catcher and pitching coach contributed to this day.”
There were many stars for the Tritons in both games. In the first game, Matt Rossman improved to 4-2, going eight innings allowing three runs, striking out five and walking none. Matt Cantele, who entered the game hitting .185, went 4-for-4 with four RBI. Kellen Lee went 3-for-3 with a homerun and Vance Albitz also added two hits. Brandon Gregorich had a solo homerun for UCSD.
Kyle Loretelli hit the first pitch of the game for a homerun to center field and the Warriors had a 1-0 lead.
In the UCSD first with one out, Robert Sedin stole second and advanced to third on a bad throw. Sedin would score on Matt Cantele's single up the middle, tying the game 1-1.
In the CSUS third, Jacob Thelen hit a two out two-run homerun to left, giving CSUS a 3-1 lead.
With one out in the UCSD third, Matt Cantele singled through the right side, driving in Vance Albitz to make the score 3-2 CSUS.
In the UCSD fourth, Brandon Gregorich hit a solo homerun to left, tying the game at 3-3.
In the UCSD fifth, Robert Sedin just missed a homerun and doubled off the top of the wall in left. Cantele followed with a single to right field to give the Tritons a 4-3 lead.
With one out in the UCSD sixth, Kellen Lee homered to center, giving the Tritons a 5-3 lead.
In the eighth inning, Albitz singled to right field to put runners on the corners with one out. Sedin was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Cantele followed and drew a walk for an RBI, giving UCSD a 6-3 edge. Evan Kehoe came up with a single through the left side for two more RBI and UCSD had a comfortable 8-3 lead.
Ryland MacFadyen pitched the final scoreless inning for the Tritons.
In the second game, Albitz led off with a double to left center. With two outs, Gregorich singled up the middle for an RBI and UCSD led 1-0. Garrett Imeson continued the two-out rally with a double to left field, driving in two for the 3-0 lead. After an error continued the inning, Tim Mort singled through the left side for an RBI, UCSD's fourth run of the frame.
Albitz led off the second inning with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With one out, Evan Kehoe singled to right field, driving in Albitz and UCSD led 5-0. With two outs, Imeson singled to right field for an RBI, UCSD's sixth run.
Decker allowed a lead off walk, then picked the runner of first base. He walked the No. 2 hitter, but rebounded to strikeout the final two batters of the first. That would be the only threat of the day as Decker cruised through the lineup, improving to 2-1 on the season.
When Cantele was retired in the fourth inning, it broke a streak of eight consecutive at-bats in reaching base. The senior designated hitter had four singles and four walks before being retired in the fourth inning of the second game.
UCSD will go for the series sweep on Sunday as the teams will square off again at Triton Baseball Field. First pitch is slated for 12:00 p.m.
