SEASIDE --- Cal State Monterey Bay dropped a doubleheader to CSU Stanislaus on Saturday, losing both games by just one run, 6-5 and 7-6.
The Otters gave up four runs in the ninth to lose the first game. CSUMB jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. #Thomas Incaviglia# hit a leadoff single to start the rally, #Matt DeJesus# (2-4) kept it going with an RBI-single and #Steve Mays# finished it with a two-run double.
The Warriors came back with two in the third, but that was all CSUMB starter #Addis O'Connor# allowed in his six innings of work. #Michael Trump# pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 innings, but gave up two hits in the eighth when #Brian Callen# came in. Callen finished the inning in three pitches and started the ninth well, getting Tom Long to fly out to left field.
But then it all came apart. Jacob Thelen tripled, the next batter walked, then Callen gave up a single through the right side, a bunt single and suddenly the Otters were down 5-3 with runners on first and third and two outs. A passed ball then put the Warriors ahead two as Dennis Wolfe scored from third.
The Otters rallied in the bottom of the ninth and put runners on second and third with one out, but were only able to get one of the runners home, leaving Incaviglia (3-5) stranded in scoring position.
CSUMB had 12 hits in the second game and twice came back from a deep deficit to contend. The Otters trailed 4-0 after the third inning, but scored three in the fourth, two by a homer by Inciviglia. The Warriors were able to get those runs back, taking a 7-3 lead, but CSUMB again got right back in the game with three runs in the sixth. Dejesus hit a solo shot for the first run and the Otters then loaded the bases for #Matt Ralls#, who singled to right field to score two more.
Ralls would steal second and with runners on second and third, shortstop #Daniel Barras# grounded out to third to end the threat. CSUMB was unable to get a rally going in the seventh, the final inning of the doubleheader, and Stanislaus swept the day. The two teams play again on Sunday in Turlock at noon.
[VIEW GAME 1 RESULTS]
GAME NOTES (By Chris Huerta):
Game one for the Otters was very positive, with pitching leading the way. Addis O'Connor(6 IP, 5H, 2ER) set a great tone for the game from the start and Michael Trump pitched an effective inning and two-thirds in relief. On the hitting side, Thomas Incaviglia lead four Otters with multiple hits including freshman third baseman #Nolan Labrucherie#. It wasn't until the ninth inning when things began to unravel.
Going into the ninth ahead 4-2 with CSUMB's closer Brian Callen on the mound seemed like a tough task for any team but the Warriors were used to it. Through out the reason Stanislaus has come from behind in several games and this was no different as the strung together a four run relay, which started with a triple and then a walk on a 0-2 count. But the Otters didn't give up, mounting their own rally, trying to take the game back with the key play of the game one coming on a steal by Thomas Incaviglia. With a runner on third and Incaviglia on first, he stole second base easily while the Warriors shortstop Jeff Bellotti had to jump several feet in the air to save the ball from going into center field. If the ball gets by, the runner on third scores and Incaviglia moves to third then #Ryan Chagonjian#'s RBI groundout scores the tying run not the fifth run. The bottom of the ninth ended when #Jeff Bernacil# popped out to the shortstop for the third out.
The Warriors were led by left fielder Kyle Loretelli, who had key hits and starter Eric Federico (8 IP, 9H, 3ER, 6K) who made a spectaculr diving- barehanded grab to start an inning ending double play earlier in the game. Andrew Troncale came in the ninth inning and got the save for CSU Stanislaus.
Momentum was tough to come by for CSUMB in game two as the trailed for the entire game. After falling behind 4-0 in the third, the Otters fought their way back in both the fourth, sixth and seventh only to fall one run short every time. In the end, it was another perfectly executed play by the Warriors that defeated Monterey Bay.
After Otters starter #Justin Aguilera# gave up four runs to start the game, #Thomas Incaviglia# smashed a two-run home run in the fourth, along with a #Jayson Furia# RBI sacrifice fly to make the score 4-3. Then in the bottom of the sixth, #Matt DeJesus# hit a solo homer while #Matt Ralls# drove-in two runs on a single to get the Otters within one run at 7-6. However the bottom of the seventh was the climax of the excitement with it all being decided at home plate.
It all began a single by Incaviglia, which was erased by a double play off the bat of Andrew Marquardt. With two outs, first baseman Matt DeJesus softly hit a grounder to third base which he beat out for his third hit of the game. Next Ryan Chagonjian hit a solid ball to the right center gap for his third hit. DeJesus was waved home by hitting coach Chris Lasaca only to be thrown out by a perfectly done 9-4-2 relay play to get him out by a step.
For game two, DeJesus and Chagonjian paced the Otters with three hits each while Labrucherie chipped in another two hits. CSUMB reliever #Patrick McClain# pitched two and a third solid innings but took the loss while Warriors freshman starter Stueve did just enough to earn the victory. Andrew Troncale got his second save of the day for the Warriors as well.
