The Cal Poly baseball team more than struggled with the bases loaded going into their game against UC Riverside Friday night. And with the team going just 2 for 22 with the bases juiced after two missed chances in the third inning, it looked like the trend was going to continue.
However, with the game tied 1-1 — and runners on every base in the seventh inning — shortstop Mike Miller changed that.
Miller singled to right, earning two RBIs to clinch a 4-1 victory for the Mustangs in their Big West opening matchup against UC Riverside.
“Their pitcher was great tonight and he gave us one or two chances and we took advantage of one,” Miller said. “We still can improve, and it’s a start, but it does feel really good to come through in the clutch for the team.”
On the single by Miller, right fielder Mitch Haniger was able to beat a throw at the plate with a dive around the Highlander catcher, touching his right hand on home for the Mustangs’ fourth run.
Starting pitcher Mason Radeke nearly finished his first collegiate complete game, going 8 2/3 innings before being pulled in favor of closer Jeff Johnson in the ninth.
Radeke said he was upset he did not get the chance to finish the game, but after allowing two runners to reach with two outs, head coach Larry Lee had to hand the ball off to the Mustang closer.
“Tonight started a new season and it was extremely important that we got off on the right foot on opening night,” Lee said.
Johnson walked the first batter he saw, his first issued in 13 2/3 innings this season, but struck out the next batter to end the game.
Radeke threw a career-high 141 pitches and allowed just four hits, while giving up four walks. He got off to a rough start, allowing a run on an infield single in the third inning after allowing a runner to advance to third.
“He struggled early, he was having trouble locating down in the zone with a couple different pitches,” Lee said. “He survived the first couple innings and got stronger as the game progressed.”
Radeke also managed to strike out seven Highlanders on his way to his third win of the season.
“Every batter, I’m going to strike them out,” Radeke said. “I want to get 27 strikeouts.”
Against UC Riverside, Cal Poly’s defense also helped Radeke on at least three occasions. At first base, the 6-foot-4 Bryan Horst used every inch of his body to snag a liner above his head in the second inning. And diving plays by Haniger in right field and Jimmy Allen in left helped Radeke steal a couple key outs from the Highlanders.
“(Those plays) just get the whole team up,” Miller said. “We go on another level energy-wise when your team picks up a pitcher like that. It deflates the other team a little bit.”
The victory moved the Mustangs to 9-12 overall and a perfect 1-0 in the Big West. They continue their series with the Highlanders on Saturday at 6 p.m. when Cal Poly’s Stephen Fischback takes on Matt Larkins.