Baseball Plays Road Double-Header Against Azusa, Nearly Takes Game 2
January 27, 2007

Complete Box Scores »» Game 1    Game 2

The Cougar baseball team nearly got its first win on Friday, as the squad came within a couple innings of taking game two of a double-header against Azusa Pacific. But they came up just short, losing that game 7-4 after dropping the first contest 17-5.

The loss drops CSUSM to 0-4 in its inaugural year, but the performance in game two - particularly by the pitching staff - against a very good Azusa squad gives reason for optimism.

In game one, however, Azusa jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Cougar starter Ian Thompson was touched up for 4 ER in 2.2 innings pitched, while the Hawks' Scott Hodson gave the team a solid 6 innings of 2-run ball. Hodson also had a big day at the plate, going 4-for-5 with 5 RBI. The Cougar defense also struggled, as the team allowed 5 unearned runs on the day.

At the plate, San Marcos' Jason Kutzler made the most of his one at-bat, doubling in a pair of runs. That came in the seventh though, when the game was already well in hand for Azusa.

Game two would tell a different story, though you wouldn't know it by the first inning. Cougar starter Jeff Stephenson allowed a pair of runs in the first, the latter of which was unearned. He was once again the victim of an unearned run in the second, after a runner advancing to third on a wild pitch was able to come home on a throwing error by the catcher.

With the score 3-0 in the top of the third, the Cougars came roaring back. Catcher Mitch McNamara got the inning started with a booming double to center. A throwing error by the Azusa shortstop allowed first baseman Matt Jenkins to reach base, and the runner to reach home. After Jenkins got to third on a ground out and wild pitch, centerfielder Steve Harris was hit by a pitch, putting runners at the corners for big Scott Shapiro. The 6'6 transfer from Vandy blasted his first home run for the Cougars, giving the squad its first lead in program history. CSUSM threatened to score more in the inning, but it ended when Juan Perez's liner was snagged by the centerfielder.

Jeff Stephenson hurled a scoreless bottom of the third, and was relieved by David Julio, who struck out a pair in a scoreless fourth. But in the fifth, the Cougars' defense would once again betray them. With runners on a second and third and two outs, an error by the Cougars allowed both runs to score, giving Azusa the lead back.

After Azusa's Kirk Nieuwenhuis stretched the lead to 7-4 with a two-run homer in the sixth, the Cougars were unable to mount a comeback against reliever Zach Pettikas, who pitched a very strong four scoreless innings and picked up the win. The game was shortened to 7 innings due to darkness.

Even with the 0-4 start, the Cougars are showing positive signs. As predicted, the almost-exclusively freshman pitching staff is going to take some time to get accustomed to the college game, but expect them to improve as the season goes on. All Cougar fans are welcome to cheer on the team in its official home opener on February 2nd against San Diego Christian. The festivities start at 1:30 and first pitch is at 2:00, so come out to San Marcos High and cheer on your team!