ATHERTON, Calif. – The visiting San Francisco State baseball team suffered its first loss of the 2011 campaign Friday, dropping a 10-2 decision to Menlo College in a non-conference contest at Cartan Field.
The Oaks took advantage of six errors, scoring nine unearned runs to raise their record to 5-1 overall, while the Gators slip to 3-1 on the young season.
Menlo starter Sean Sweeney (3-0) gave up just one unearned run himself on four hits and two walks to pick up the victory, while Steven Dea (1-1) absorbed the loss after yielding three unearned runs on six hits and one walk in four innings of work.
The Oaks capitalized on two SF State fielding errors in the bottom of the second inning to forge a 2-0 lead they would not surrender. Michael Brandi and Will Pierce led off the frame with a pair of infield singles, while Ty Finley reached on an error following a line out, which plated Brandi from second. After a pop fly, Joel Hull got aboard on another miscue, while Paul Oakley drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Pierce.
Menlo added a single run in the third, then broke the game open with four markers in the fourth as C.J. Dailey delivered a key two-run base hit to right field with two outs, while Oakley and Collin Forgey added RBI singles as well.
The Gators dented the scoreboard the top of the sixth when Tyler Tulowitzki knocked in Thomas Wood with a single up the middle. Earlier, Wood reached on a fielder's choice and promptly advanced to second on an Oaks error. After a flyout, Tulowitzki battled through nine pitches before finally finding a seam in the Menlo defense.
The Oaks padded their cushion in the bottom of the frame with three runs to extend the margin to 10-1. With the bases loaded, Dailey walked to plate Brandi, while Pierce and Hull touched home on an errant relay throw after Dailey was forced out at second.
SF State closed out the scoring in the top of the seventh when Ben Mielke roped a double down the left field line to drive in Nic Gauldin, who was previously hit by a pitch and advanced to second on Will Klein's single.
Menlo banged out 14 hits on the day as Brandi finished with a 4-for-5 performance to go along with four runs scored, while Dailey contributed three RBI.
Conversely, Wood turned in a 2-for-4 effort at the plate, while Dustin Wold and Trevor Pasiecznik added one single each in the defeat.
The two teams continue their weekend series on Saturday as the scene shifts to the Gators' Maloney Field for a 12 noon start. SF State will then return to Atherton on Sunday for the finale, which is scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m.
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