Baseball Falls to UCSD 10-3
1/28/07

Facing the team ranked #15 in NCAA Division II Baseball, Cal State San Marcos fell to UCSD on Wednesday by a score of 10-3.

The Cougars' pitching staff, which has been outstanding thus far this season, couldn't hold down the Tritons' lineup, allowing four multi-run innings.  The loss drops CSUSM to 3-5 on the season.

Despite the stiff competition, the Cougars hung in the game early.  UCSD got a quick two runs off of starter Lance McCormick in the first inning, but CSUSM came right back with a pair of their own in the second.  Facing starter Derek Barham, Tristan Gale led off the second with his team-leading fourth home run of the season.  Later in the inning, Adam Ricciardulli would double in Jared Suwyn, tying the game.

UCSD would go up 3-2 in the bottom half of the inning, but CSUSM once again responded quickly.  Austin Way led off the top of the third inning with a solo shot, bringing the game to 3-3.

But it would be all downhill from their for the Cougars, as Barham would lock down and the UCSD bullpen would pitch a nearly-flawless four innings of relief.  The Tritons' lineup never let up, plating two in the fifth and sixth, and three in the eighth.  Eight different players tallied an RBI for UCSD.

CSUSM's most effective pitcher of the day was Johnny Holtman, who threw 2 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on a hit and a walk, while striking out two.

After two games in the last two days, Cougar baseball will have the next six days to rest before traveling to Biola on Tuesday the 12th.