KEIZER, Ore. ? The 2nd-ranked UC San Diego baseball team lost its first game of the postseason with a 4-3 loss to No. 11 Sonoma State on Saturday afternoon at Volcanoes Stadium. The Tritons outhit SSU 10-6, but two, two-run homeruns by the Seawolves proved to be the difference. UCSD was within three outs of a regional title when Kris Haycock hit a go-ahead two-run homerun. The Tritons threatened in the ninth, but stranded the potential go-ahead run in scoring position. The teams will return to the field for a final championship game on Sunday with a 12:00 p.m. first-pitch. The loss drops the Tritons to 38-13 while the Seawolves improve to 35-15.
Matt Rossman made his return showing no ill effects from his injury three weeks ago. In his first appearance, Rossman delivered 8.0 innings allowing just a two-run homerun on three hits. “It felt great to be back on the field,” said Rossman. “I felt stronger as the game went on.”
After Rossman retired the side in order in the first, Vance Albitz led off the UCSD first with a double to left field. Josh Tanner put down the sac bunt to get Albitz to third and Albitz would score on Garrett Imeson's RBI single through the left side for the 1-0 UCSD lead.
In the SSU fourth, Ian Bridges hit a two-run homerun to left field, giving the Seawolves a 2-1 lead.
The teams would remain scoreless until the Tritons' Brandon Gregorich and Evan Kehoe hit back-to-back singles with one out to put runners on the corners. Robert Sedin tied the game with an RBI single through the left side at 2-2. With two outs, Kellen Lee hit the go-ahead RBI single up the middle and the Tritons led 3-2, knocking the SSU starter out of the game. UCSD would load the bases but stranded three as the score remained 3-2 Tritons through six.
In the SSU seventh, Albitz made a great diving stop on a ground ball hit up the middle and with a back handed flip to Imeson and on to first for a double play that helped the Tritons get out of a jam.
SSU got a leadoff single from Joe Slater in the ninth and Kris Haycock homered to left field to give the Seawolves the 4-3 lead.
UCSD attempted to get a two-out rally in the ninth as Josh Tanner singled up the middle and Imeson walked. SSU got the final Triton on a strikeout to force a final championship game on Sunday with a first pitch slated for 12:00 p.m.
