Mustang News Staff Report
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In a potential postseason preview, right-hander Casey Bloomquist was moved from his typical Sunday starting role to try to earn a win in the second game of the Cal Poly baseball team’s series at Cal State Northridge.
The sophomore (12-1) came through as he scattered six hits over seven innings to help give Cal Poly (44-10, 18-5 Big West) a 6-3 victory and clinch the series against the Matadors (18-34, 6-14) on Saturday. The Mustangs have now won 13 of 14 series of three games or more this season and sport a five-game winning streak heading into Sunday’s regular season finale.
Senior third baseman Jimmy Allen — who became Cal Poly’s all-time hits leader on Friday — clubbed his third home run in two games with a solo shot in the second inning. He and sophomore second baseman Mark Mathias each had three hits in the game. Mathias has now hit safely in 40 of his last 43 games.
After mustering 20 hits, including two home runs by Allen, in Friday’s 16-10 victory, the Mustangs managed 12 hits on Saturday. After the victory, Cal Poly moved one game ahead of second-place UC Irvine in the Big West standings, but the Anteaters have five games left to play in comparison to the Mustangs’ one.
If Cal Poly wins Sunday, it will need UC Irvine to drop one of those five to earn at least a share of the conference title. Freshman right-hander Justin Calomeni (8-2, 3.56 ERA) will take the mound for Cal Poly on Sunday.
Update: With UC Irvine’s loss to Cal State Fullerton on Saturday night, Cal Poly needs a win on Sunday to clinch a share of the Big West crown and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament because Cal Poly owns the conference tiebreaker.
Stephan Teodosescu contributed to this report.