SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State Gators rallied back twice from deficits in game two of this afternoon's conference doubleheader to split with the visiting Cal State L.A. Golden Eagles (10-4, 5-2 CCAA) 0-7, 7-6.
Andrew Breen drove in
Garrett Heisinger with a sacrifice fly with what proved to be the game-winning run in the night cap.
Ryan Romero picked up the win in relief while
Cory Davis recorded his second save of the season and 15
th of his career at SF State.
Game OneCal State L.A. took a 1-0 lead on two-out run scoring single by Paul Martinez that brought in Jesus Cuevas, who reached on a two-out double. The Golden Eagles doubled their lead on a RBI single by Anthony Lombardo in the third that brought in Kyle Peralta in the third inning.
The visitors broke the game open with a three-run fifth to increase their lead to 5-0. The Golden Eagles added insurance runs in the sixth and eighth to take game one 7-0.
Bryan Conant (2-1) pitched a five-hit complete game shutout for Cal State L.A., striking out 7 Gators. Martinez had three of the Golden Eagles' 12 hits while driving in two runs.
Ryan Bohnet (0-3) took the loss for SF State, pitching 4.2 innings, giving up 8 hits and five runs, striking out four and walking two.
Matthew Hernandez 4.1 innings of relief, giving up four hits and two runs, striking out one and walking one. Five different Gators had hits in the opener with
Matt Vera being one of them with his second double of the season.
Game TwoCal State L.A. took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a RBI ground out by Lombardo, which scored Peralta. Peralta reached base when he lead off the game being hit by a pitch.
The Gators tied the game at 1-1 in their frame of the first inning on
Mark Lindsay's fielder choice which brought in
Fernando Escobar, who reached base on an error.
Trent Zaks' two-out two-run double to left center gave the visitors a 3-1 lead in the top of the second inning.
The score remained 3-1 Cal State L.A., until the Gator third inning. Lopez had a lead-off double and went to third on a throwing error. He scored on a RBI ground out by Lindsay. Then with two outs,
Ryan Burke reached on an error and later scored on a double to right center by Heisinger to tie the game at 3-3.
Cal State L.A. retook the lead in its half of the fourth on sacrifice flies by David Trejo and Rodrigo Martinez. SF State (4-9, 3-4 CCAA) took the lead for the first time in its half of the fourth inning.
Nick Jackson had a one-out infield single and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Escobar. Jackson scored on a single up the middle by Lopez, who went to second on the throw. Lopez stole second and scored when Lindsay reached on an error to tie the game at 5-5. With two outs and the count 2-0,
Bryce Cherry hit a double to right center to drive in Lindsay to give the Gators a 6-5 lead.
The Golden Eagles tied the game in the top of the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Nick Osuna which brought in Ryan Welker. Welker reached base on a lead-off single and later scored on Osuna's sacrifice.
Heisinger, 2-for-3 with two doubles, lead off the Gator fifth with a double down the right field lie. He advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Vera. The senior first baseman scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to left field by
Andrew Breen.
Cory Davis came in relief for
Ryan Romero in the top of the sixth and pitched a scoreless inning. Then in the Golden Eagle seventh, he retired the side to preserve the Gator 7-6 win. With the save, Davis now has 15 for his career at SF State which places him in second on the career list and one away from Joey Diaz's 16.
Romero (2-0) picked up the win in relief, pitching one inning, giving up one two hits and one run.
Peter Reyes recorded the no-decision in the start, pitching four innings, giving up five hits and five runs (four earned) while striking out two and walking one.
Besides' Heisinger's two hits, Lopez, Burke and Cherry each had two hits while Lopez scored twice and drove in a run for the Gators.
Ralph Ramirez (3-1) recorded the loss for the Golden Eagles, pitching five innings, giving up 8 hits and 7 runs (two earned), striking out four and walking two. Three Golden Eagles had two hits apiece in Zaks, Welker and Trejo.
The two teams will finish off the four-game series tomorrow morning with a single nine-inning game at SF State's Maloney Field. First pitch is scheduled for 11am PST.
Box Score Game One
Box Score Game two
Video.
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Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.
Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments. For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
