A new season and a new pitch has Joey Wagman looking like Cal Poly’s definitive ace. He threw eight scoreless innings, giving up two hits against Oklahoma State on Friday night. Sophomore hurler Chase Johnson struck out the side in his new closer role as the Mustangs shutout the Cowboys in a 6-0 victory to open their 2012 campaign.
“It’s just another dimension,” Wagman said of his slider. “I’m trying to keep guys off balance, and whatever is going to do that is going to be the best for us.”
Wagman didn’t allow a hit until there were two outs in the seventh inning with the Mustangs leading 2-0 when Mark Ginther singled in the gap between first and second.
“I knew (Oklahoma State) had no hits, but my main focus was to keep my team close,” Wagman said. “That was 100 percent my focus.”
He also allowed a double in the eighth, but he worked out of both jams without any further damage.
Head coach Larry Lee was satisfied with his team’s and Wagman’s performance as a real game finally gave him a chance to analyze the team in a non-practice setting.
“If (Wagman) throws strikes, he’s really good,” Lee said. “He’s a three-pitch mix guy, and at any level, if you can mix three pitches for strikes and not give any free passes, you can have a lot of success.”
Cal Poly took a 2-0 lead in the third inning after Mitch Haniger, batting in the third spot, singled to score Evan Busby and Mike Miller.
In 2011, Haniger led the Mustangs in doubles and home runs, hitting six long balls during his sophomore season.
Wagman’s no-hitter was nearly halted at the end of the fifth and sixth innings when two hard-hit balls found their way into the gap between the second baseman and shortstop, but long-ranging plays by Miller and Busby preserved the no-hit bid.
“We played phenomenal defense,” Wagman said. “(Ryan) Drobny picking balls at first base, his first game as a freshman. I can’t say anything more about our defense, we played terrific.”
The lone Mustang error on the night came in the third inning as Busby was forced into the outfield grass where he slipped while attempting to corral a grounder.
The Mustangs added four more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth as Haniger and David Armendariz singled off Jake Abbott, a submarine pitcher who relieved Andrew Heaney. Sophomore catcher Chris Hoo was intentionally walked to bring up Jimmy Allen who singled, bringing in two more runs
Drobny, who Lee praised as one of the best defensive infielders on the team, picked up his first collegiate hit on a line drive to left field bringing the Mustangs run total to six.
Nick Torres made his first start as a true freshman as well and went 2-for-4, the only other Mustang with multiple hit was Haniger.
“I’m really excited, but, at the same time, I’m trying to stay collected and stay cool about it.” Torres said. “I don’t want to let the whole experience overwhelm me.”
Only Miller, Matt Russell and Busby were held hitless.
Lee attributes some of the success of new players such as Drobny to leadership coming from the older, more experienced players.
“Miller, Haniger, Armendariz and Wagman have taken the entire team a couple different times and sat them down and let them know what to expect,” Lee said. “That’s really important because it comes from my mouth over and over, but when players can talk to other players and let them know what they went through and how they dealt with pressure and what we’re all about, it makes a big difference. Internal leadership is really important.”
The victory marked the first time in six seasons that the Mustangs kicked off the year with a win and it was the first time Cal Poly defeated Oklahoma State. The team was swept in Stillwater in 2011.
Freshman Matt Imhof takes the mound on Saturday in his first start as a Mustang. First pitch is at 6 p.m.