It was a chilly, windy Friday night at Baggett Stadium, but that did not phase the Cal Poly baseball team as they extended their hot-streak to four straight wins by stomping over Sacramento State 9-2.
“In all my years as a coach, I never know how things will turn out in the beginning of the season,” Mustang’s head coach Larry Lee said. “You always hope to get out to a good start and have your players build some confidence and so far, so good.”
The Mustangs had a slow start in the opening game of a three-game series with the Hornets. The first run of the game came in the Mustang’s half of the fourth inning from freshman Matt Jensen. He singled, advanced to second on a pass ball, stole third base and finally scored on a sacrifice bunt from J.J. Thompson.
Freshman Bobby Crocker scored the second run shortly after on junior Kyle Smith’s double to the wall in right-center field.
The Hornets were quick to retaliate with two runs of their own off Cal Poly starting pitcher D.J. Mauldin, one in both of the fifth and sixth innings. Mauldin pitched a total of six and two-thirds innings, recording four strike-outs and two walks.
Freshman Mark Laugenour was brought in to face a Hornet lefty, and then was replaced by junior Mark DiVincenzi who pitched the remainder of the game.
In the seventh inning with senior Ryan Lee on second base and junior Wes Dorrell on first, junior Luke Yoder was brought in to pinch hit in the number-five slot in the lineup. Yoder turned a hard fastball from Sacramento State reliever Nick Buchta into a base hit to left field, which gave the Mustangs their third run and broke the 2-2 tie.
The runs just kept coming for Cal Poly in the eighth inning. After three runs had already crossed home, Jensen recorded his third home run of the season. His two-run shot sailed past the right field foul pole, posting what would be the final score on the scoreboard at 9-2.
Getting the Friday night start was an exciting opportunity, said Mauldin, who is more accustomed to starting in the Saturday or Sunday role. Despite pitching a solid six plus innings, since he was taken out while the score was tied, the win went to Laugenour.
“I came out strong and was throwing strikes, giving the defense a chance to make plays for me,” Mauldin said. “Overall it went well.”
Knocking in the go-ahead run felt really good, Yoder said. The single was only Yoder’s second hit in 10 at bats.
“Coach was telling me ahead of time to get ready and to be prepared to come in to pinch hit,” Yoder said. “I’ve been struggling lately, but I try not to worry about that. I saw the ball, put a really good swing on it and got a good result.”