ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Despite a late rally, the San Francisco State baseball team had its comeback hopes derailed in a 5-4 setback to 29th-ranked Sonoma State in 11 innings Friday afternoon at Seawolf Field in Rohnert Park, Calif. After tying the score at 4-4 in the ninth, the Gators were unable to gain the upper hand in extra innings, falling to 6-17 on the season and 2-15 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Meanwhile SSU improves to 16-6 overall and 9-6 in league play.
The Seawolves went up 2-0 in the bottom of the second on Jeff Slater's one-out double to left center, which drove in Thomas Pope and Ryan Stevens. Pope and Stevens led off the inning with consecutive singles, while Kyle Jones advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. SSU then padded its lead in the seventh when Mark Pestorich knocked in Slater and Jones with a single to right center, giving the home team a 4-0 advantage.
SF State finally broke through in the top of the eighth on Keith Garcia's (Ventura, Oxnard College) two-run homer over the left field fence after a Nick Nyman (Susanville, California, Lassen, Lassen College) single, pulling the visitors to within 4-2. The Gators plated two additional runs in the ninth to knot the score at 4-4. Sean Proni (Valencia, CA, College of Marin), who hit a lead-off single and advanced to third on a balk and wild pitch, scored on Matt Memeo (Cottonwood, California, West Valley, Shasta College)sacrifice fly, while Patrick Haugen's (Cayucos, California, Cuesta College) RBI single brought home Kyle Amick (Manteca, California, Sierra) from second. Amick was inserted as a pinch-runner after Ryan Williams (Woodland, Yuba College) drew a walk and promptly advanced on Zack Anderson's (Ventura, California, Ventura College) single.
The Seawolves put two runners aboard in their half of the inning; however Gator reliever Eric Keithley (Santa Rosa , Santa Rosa JC)got out of the jam after striking out Kris Haycock, while Leo Avila hit into a fielder's choice. Meanwhile, SF State threatened in its half of the 10th but could not capitalize on Proni's two-out double.
Unfortunately, SSU settled the issue in the 11th as Max Kirk's sacrifice fly scored pinch-runner Brian Wright. Wright came on after Jones singled to left and ultimately advanced to third on a groundout and stolen base, respectively.
Taylor Lewis (4-0) picked up the victory with two innings of scoreless relief, while Ryan DeJesus (Westlake Village, Westlake) (0-1) took the loss after entering the game in the 11th. SF State starter Spencer Kreisberg (Tigard, Oregon, Tigard, Los Medanos College) pitched six solid innings, allowing just two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three. Proni and Haugen had two hits apiece to pace the Gators.
The two teams continue their four-game series on Saturday, March 21, with a doubleheader at SF State's Maloney Field. First pitch is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
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