Finding the Sweet Spot -- Cougar Baseball Defeats Occidental, 7-2
February 15, 2007

Cougar baseball continued to build momentum on Wednesday, going on the road to best previously-undefeated Occidental 7-2. After an 0-7 start, the Cougar squad has now won 3 of its last 4.

Pitching and defense were the themes of the day, as the Cougar staff combined for what is clearly its best effort in the young season. Freshman Chris Skaalen gave the squad a solid start, allowing just 2 runs in his 4 innings of work. Then the relief took over - and take over they did, as three CSUSM relievers combined to allow just 4 hits over 5 scoreless innings. Eric Julienne, Lance McCormick, and Grant Harrell made quick work of the Occidental lineup in securing the win for CSUSM.

But it was the offense that got the Cougars an early lead. Chuck Baird started things off with a leadoff double in the first, and Terry Moritz followed that up with a single. An Austin Way single would plate Baird to give CSUSM an early 1-0 lead.

That lead would be extended in the third. After a walk to Scott Shapiro and a Way single, Tristan Gale doubled them home, pushing the lead to 3-0. The RBI's were Gale's 4th and 5th on the year.

Occidental closed the gap to 3-2 in the fourth, thanks to runs scored on a balk and a Glenn Gray single. With two runners on and two outs, Occy was threatening to score more, but Skaalen induced a groundout to escape the inning.

The three runs would turn out to be all CSUSM needed, but the offense wasn't finished. Leading off the 5th, Shapiro and Adam Ricciardulli were hit by pitches, and Juan Perez singled to load the bases. An error by the third baseman allowed two runs to score, making the game 5-2.

In the 6th, Way drove in another run to make it 6-2. The junior, who went 3-for-5 on the day, is now hitting .333 with 10 RBI for the season. Tristan Gale would lead off the 7th with a homer (his 2nd on the year), capping off the scoring in what was a very solid all-around game for the Cougars.

CSUSM will look to carry the momentum into Friday's game at Cal State LA. The team's next home game will be against Willamette College on February 18th. It will be held at Mission Bay High (as opposed to San Marcos High), and fans are welcome to make the trip to cheer on their improving team!