SAN DIEGO -- Cal State LA's baseball team was unable to shake its recent offensive woes Friday at Point Loma.
The Golden Eagles were blanked for the second straight day, managing only three hits in a 1-0 loss to the Sea Lions at Carroll B. Land Field. Cal State LA (1-4) dropped its fourth straight game since opening the season with an 8-2 win at California Baptist last Thursday. The Golden Eagles have lost the last three games by scores of 2-0, 3-0 and 1-0.
Ralph Ramirez suffered the tough-luck defeat after a sensational outing, his second of the season. He allowed only one run on four hits while walking three and striking out nine in 7 2/3 outstanding innings. In his two starts this season, Ramirez has given up only one run in 14 2/3 innings.
Cal State LA, though, was unable to solve Point Loma pitching for a second straight day.
Ryan Welker had two of the Golden Eagles' three hits, including a double.
Angel Sanchez had a double as well for the only other Cal State LA hit.
The only run of the game came in the second inning when Derek Rustich drew a walk, moved to third on a double by Joseph Keller and scored on a groundout by Mike Gordner. Ramirez was only in trouble in one other inning. After retiring the first two batters in the eighth, he gave up a double to AJ Derr, who then stole third. Ramirez left after walking Ryan Garcia and
Gabriel Gentner came on to retire the only batter he faced on a strikeout to end the inning.
Cal State LA had its best chance to score in the sixth inning. Welker picked up a one-out double and took third on a balk. After
Garrett Dean fouled out,
Christian Broussard, Jr. drew a walk, but
Dakota Hernandez, who had three hits on Thursday, struck out to end the theat.
Point Loma pitchers retired the last 10 batters of the game. Kellen Sheppard went the first six innings and allowed all three hits to get the win. He walked one and struck out four. Nathan Bennett pitched two scoreless innings and retired all six batters he faced and Coleman Huntley III worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save.
Cal State LA will conclude the doubleheader with Point Loma on Saturday with a home doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
