Mustang News Staff Report
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The Cal Poly baseball team ended its longest losing streak of the season with a 7-5 triumph at UC Riverside on Saturday night.
A two-RBI single in the seventh inning by sophomore second baseman Mark Mathias put the Mustangs (37-9, 13-4 Big West) in front 4-3 as Cal Poly never looked back in a Big West Conference win.
UC Riverside drew first blood opening the game with a 3-0 advantage, but Cal Poly slowly chipped away until Mathias’ single helped the Mustangs pull out in front. They would score three insurance runs in the eighth before the Highlanders tacked on two in the bottom half of the frame, but it wouldn’t be enough.
Mathias, who has hit safely in 33 of his past 35 games, finished the night 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs and a walk. Both sophomore designated hitter Brian Mundell, who was 2 for 32 in his past eight games entering Saturday, and junior left fielder Zack Zehner had three hits on the night.
Junior lefty Taylor Chris earned the win as he relieved freshman starter Justin Calomeni. Junior right-hander Reed Reilly picked up the save in 2 1/3 innings of work.
Cal Poly didn’t make up any ground on Big West leader UC Irvine, who won against UC Santa Barbara on Saturday.
Cal Poly’s sophomore right-hander Casey Bloomquist (9-1, 1.27 ERA) will face UC Riverside senior southpaw Ben Doucette (3-3, 4.40 ERA) in Sunday’s rubber match, which will be televised live on ESPN3.
Stephan Teodosescu contributed to this report.