LA JOLLA, Calif. - Tim Shibuya was perfect through four innings and the UC San Diego offense continued its recent onslaught as the 16th-ranked Tritons defeated Academy of Art, 15-1, in non-conference baseball action Friday night at Triton Ballpark.
Shibuya went five innings, giving up the one run on two hits, en route to improving to 8-3 on the season. He struck out four and walked none, the fifth straight start he has not surrendered any free passes. The All-American was perfect through four innings and induced 10 ground ball outs from the 17 Urban Knights he faced in the game.
Once again, the Triton offense gave the pitching staff plenty of support. In its last two games, UCSD has plated a total of 33 runs as it defeated Cal State Stanislaus, 18-1, on Apr. 17. Tonight, the Tritons led 2-0 after three and a half innings, then blew up for 13 runs over the next five frames, including hanging a five spot in the fourth.
UCSD's three and four hitters had a field day at the plate. First baseman K.C. Rentfro, playing in his first game since Apr. 2, went 3-for-3 with a run and four RBI from the cleanup spot. Designated hitter Nick La Face was 3-for-6 with four runs and two RBI. Both players homered - Rentfro a two-run bomb to left in the fourth and La Face a solo shot to left in the seventh.
Also finishing with two hits for the Tritons was second baseman Matt Hubbard and shortstop Garrett Tuck.
A majority of UCSD's position players got in the game as a total of 22 Tritons, including pitchers, were used. 10 players had hits and eight knocked in at least one run.
The Triton bullpen had a solid night as well as Taylor Austin, Greg Selarz, Tony York and Daniel Simmons each tossed a scoreless inning. Academy of Art managed just one hit after the fifth inning.
Starter Wade Broadstreet took the loss and dropped to 0-7 on the year. He gave up seven runs on nine hits over four innings and walked four. The Knights' staff threw five wild pitches.
Third baseman Darnell Quinney, first baseman Spencer Roland and left fielder Michael Reyes accounted for ARTU's three hits. The Knights tallied their lone run in the fifth inning. Quinney singled and eventually scored when Roland hit a bouncer that made it through the right side of the infield.
UC San Diego improved to 29-12 with its eighth consecutive victory. Academy of Art fell to 6-34.
The two teams play another single game Saturday at Triton Ballpark with a noon start time. General admission tickets are $5 and are available at the park beginning one hour prior to the start. UCSD students are admitted free with a valid student ID.
- ucsdtritons.com -
