LA JOLLA, Calif. - The 30th-ranked UC San Diego baseball team split a doubleheader against No. 33 Western Oregon Saturday at Triton Ballpark, running away with a 14-4 victory in the opener and falling, 2-1, in the nightcap.
Western Oregon (2-1) took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning of the first game, but it was short-lived as UCSD (1-2) struck for a seven spot in the bottom half. Four hits, including a two-run double by outfielder Danny Susdorf, and three errors by the Wolves gave the Tritons all the runs they would need to pick up their first victory of the young season.
Four Tritons had multiple hits, including Susdorf who went 3-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI. Freshman catcher Brett Levy was 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI, while freshman third baseman Ryan O'Malley had two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI. Second baseman Spencer Frazier also had two hits and a pair of runs scored.
Junior transfer Ryan Goodbrand started on the mound for UCSD. He went 6.1 innings, giving up three runs on eight hits while striking out six to earn his first win as a Triton.
Starter Jason Wilson took the loss for Western Oregon. He surrendered 11 runs, just two earned, on seven hits over three innings.
WOU made five errors in the game and just five of UCSD's 14 runs were earned.
"The guys did a great job of competing at the plate and really bought in to being aggressive," said UCSD head coach Eric Newman of the first game. "I was proud of our effort and it showed what kind of offensive team we are capable of being."
The Tritons took a 1-0 lead in the second game in the second inning. Catcher Nick La Face belted a leadoff double to left center, moved to third base on a ground out and crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to right by shortstop Garrett Tuck.
It would be the final run scored for UCSD as the Tritons only had two more hits in the game - one in the sixth and one in the seventh. They had a runner on third with one out in the bottom of the seventh and final inning, but couldn't push the run across.
WOU scored its two runs in the fifth inning. Michael Gange and AJ Royal hit back-to-back doubles to plate the first run and even the game at 1-1. Royal was sacrificed over to third base and scored the game-winning run on an infield single by Scott David.
Travis Bradshaw (1-0), who started on the mound for the Wolves, gave up the one run and three hits over 6.1 innings of work. He struck out four and walked none. Closer Ian MacDougall recorded the final two outs in the seventh to pick up his second save in as many days.
Greg Selarz (0-1) wore the loss for the Tritons, surrendering both runs on eight hits in six full innings.
Blake Miller and David each had two hits for Western Oregon, which left eight runners on base in the game.
"Give their pitchers credit, they came out and shut us down," said Newman about the second game. "It was a well-pitched game on both sides and they had a couple of key at-bats that made the difference for them."
The two squads will complete the four-game series Sunday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. at Triton Ballpark. UCSD will be looking to salvage a series split as the Wolves picked up a 8-1 win on Friday.
UCSD students are admitted free to all home games. General admission tickets are $5 and are available at Triton Ballpark on the day of the game.
- UCSDtritons.com -
