LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's baseball team took a walk on the wild side Saturday to earn a doubleheader split against Stanislaus State.
After surrendering 13 runs over the final two innings to drop the nightcap, 17-6, the Golden Eagles scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh to prevail, 4-3, in the nightcap in California Collegiate Athletic Association doubleheader action at Reeder Field. Cal State LA (6-7, 1-2 CCAA) rebounded from a disappointing result in the opener that saw a 5-4 lead erased by an eight-run eighth inning and a five-run ninth inning by Stanislaus State (4-4, 2-1 CCAA).Â
The winning run in the nightcap came after Stanislaus State tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh on a two-out run-scoring single by Trevor McInerney. The Golden Eagles responded in the bottom of the frame.
Wilem Drozdowski smacked a single to right to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Hayden Luff. Drozdowski advanced to third on a wild pitch and
Will Picketts and
A.J. Salgado were both intentionally walked to load the bases. After a strikeout, Drozdowski scored on a wild pitch with
Gerardo Castaneda at the plate to end it.
Drozdowski had three hits in the game for the Golden Eagles in a game highlighted by strong pitching by both sides.
Owen Hunt worked into the seventh inning after allowing five hits and three runs over six innings and leaving after a leadoff walk in the seventh. He walked four and struck out 10. Anthony Ramirez allowed six hits and two earned runs over six innings for the Warriors. Both starters received no-decisions.
Mikell Chavez picked up the win for the Golden Eagles with a scoreless seventh inning.
After Stanislaus State took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a fielder's choice RBI from Zach Jones and a run-scoring single by McInerney, the Golden Eagles quickly tied it in the bottom of the second. Picketts doubled and Salgado drew a walk and both runners scored on a two-run double by
Thomas Chavez. Cal State LA took a 3-2 lead in the third when
Johnny Pacheco doubled and scored on a wild throw after a nice bunt from Drozdowski.
The Golden Eagles got solid starting pitching from
Brent Jacques in the opener. He worked six strong innings, allowing five hits and four runs while walking three and striking out five. The Golden Eagles erased a 4-1 deficit with four runs in the bottom of the sixth, but couldn't hold the lead.
Salgado delivered a two-run triple after a single by Luff and a double by Picketts to make it 4-3.
Drew Emmons hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Salgado and tie the game and
Nick Penzetta singled and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Pacheco to give the Golden Eagles the lead.
The Golden Eagles carried that advantage into the eighth, but Stanislaus State exploded for eight runs on four hits. Danny Murphy's three-run double gave the Warriors the lead and Grant Bunker delivered a two-run double later in the inning. The Warriors tacked on five more runs in the ninth. Bunker and Matt Elser both had four RBI for the Warriors.
Bobby Garcia allowed one hit and one run over the final 3 2/3 innings to get the win for the Warriors.
Salgado scored three runs in the opener for the Golden Eagles.
The two teams will conclude the four-game series on Sunday with a single game beginning at 11 a.m.
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