Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 SAN FRANCISCO--- The Gators struggled to get things going offensively as they fell 5-2 in the opener of this Saturday afternoon's doubleheader with Fresno Pacific University at SF State's Maloney Field. San Francisco State's comeback fell short in the nightcap as the visiting Sunbirds swept the season opening series with a 3-2 victory over the Gators.
Fresno Pacific struck first in the opener to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Kaohu Gasper started off the inning with a lead-off double and scored on Kyle Coppom's double to center.
SF State answered quickly in the bottom half of the inning by taking advantage of a couple FPU mistakes.
Justin Lamb reached first on a fielding error and rounded to score after consecutive wild pitches to even up the game at 1-1.
After exchanging runs once again in the third and fourth innings, FPU's Brett Bishop broke the tie in the top of the sixth with a home run, giving the Sunbirds a 3-2 lead.
Fresno Pacific tacked on more runs in the top of the seventh to extend the lead. With two runners on base, a Gator throwing error allowed both runners to score, making it 5-2 Sunbirds. Neither team could produce in the later innings, ending the game in favor of the visitors.
Dominant pitching propelled the Sunbirds to victory, led by right-hander Mitchell Scott (1-0) who grabbed the win off six strong innings, giving up one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out three. James Lagorio pitched two scoreless innings in relief before handing the ball off to their closer, Bryce Daily, who shut the door in the ninth to give him his first save and the Sunbirds second win on the season.
Starting pitcher for the Gators,
Trae Lopez went four innings and gave up one earned run on five hits and no walks. The loss went to Trevor Deskin (0-1), who gave up one earned run during the three innings he was on the mound.
Pitching and defense once again proved to be the deciding factor in the nightcap of the double header. FPU's Ryan Castadio silenced the Gators bats throughout the first five-and-a-third innings before SF State could make things interesting.
The Sunbirds crossed the plate first in the top of the fourth after a couple of singles by both Devin Lee and Kenny Overly. Bishop moved both runners over on a sac bunt and Koppom broke the scoreless tie with an RBI groundout to put the Sunbirds ahead 1-0. FPU would go on to add another run in the top of the fifth off an RBI double to take a 2-0 lead over the Gators.
SF State managed to start a rally in the bottom of the sixth inning when
Carter Loud double to open the inning. With one out,
Mark Lindsay walked and
Miguel Flores singled to load the bases. Lamb walked to bring in the first run for the Gators and a single to center by
Grady Espinosa sent in the tying run.
The 2-2 score didn't last long, however, as FPU quickly answered with a Chambas single that scored a run with two outs in the top half of the seventh. The Gators couldn't respond in the bottom half of the inning, falling 3-2 in the second game of the double-header.
Chris De La Torre (1-0) got the win for the Sunbirds, pitching an inning and two thirds of scoreless ball in relief. Castadio recorded a no decision after going five and a third and only giving up one earned run on four hits.
SF State starter
Zack Malik also recorded a no decision, going six strong innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and six strikeouts.
Peter Reyes (0-1) receives the loss after allowing an unearned run in the top of the seventh.
The Gators look to turn things around as they are back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 5 when they head to Seawolf Diamond in Rohnert Park to take on the Sonoma State Seawolves at 2 p.m. SF State returns to Maloney Field on Friday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. to start a three-game series with Holy Names University.
Box Score game one
Box Score game two
