SAN FRANCISCO--
Joe Chedid hit the fifth pitch he saw for a walk-off two-run single through the left side to give the SF State Gators a 5-4 extra-inning victory over the visiting No. 25 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos (8-4, 0-1 CCAA) in game one of this afternoon's doubleheader. In the night cap, the Broncos were leading 6-3 in the top of the ninth as the game was halted because of darkness. The two teams will conclude today's game two tomorrow morning at 11am and then they will play the series finale of the three-game series.
"Game one was a well-played game by both teams," said SF State head coach
Tony Schifano. "It came down to the last pitch and (Joe) Chedid put a good swing on it to win the game." "Our middle relief did a great job to keep us close and give us a chance to win."
The Broncos took a 3-0 lead with a three-run fourth. Chris Stratton had a lead-off double, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Nicholas Bruno. He scored on a double by Jared James. James scored when Nic Hernandez reached on a fielding error by the Gators. Hernandez to third on a two-out double by Michael Zidek and scored on a wild pitch by the Gators to give the Broncos a 3-0 lead.
SF State (7-4, 1-0 CCAA) cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Dalton Pizzuti had a lead-off single, stole second but was out when
Andrew Breen reached on a fielder's choice. Breen advanced to second on a ground out by
Nick Jackson, then stole third. He scored on a balk by the Broncos.
The score remained 3-1 Broncos until the Gator half of the seventh inning.
Carter Gambrell had a lead-off single and scored on a Breen double to left field. Breen advanced to third on a Jackson sacrifice bunt.
Jake Faulkner walked with one out. On a double steal attempt by the Gators, Breen scored as the Broncos misplayed the play and the visitors tied the game at 3-3.
Each team had a scoreless eighth and ninth innings to send the game into extra-innings. Stratton had a lead-off single for the Broncos in the tenth. He went to second on his ninth stolen base, went to third on a ground out by Bruno. With one out, Stratton scored on another double by James to give the guests a 4-3 lead.
Brent Montgomery induced the next two batters to line out and ground out as the Broncos took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the tenth.
With one out in the bottom of the tenth,
Chris Nicholson reached on a fielding error by the Broncos. He went to second on a single by
Bryce Brooks. Then with two outs, they each advanced a base on a wild pitch. With the count 3-1, Chedid drove home Nicholson and Brooks with the tying and go-ahead runs with a single through the left side for the Gator 5-4 victory.
Montgomery improved to 2-0 as he pitched three innings of relief, giving up four hits and one run.
Ryan Bohnet recorded the no-decision the start for SF State, pitching 6.2 innings of five-hit ball, striking out three, walking one and giving up five hits and three runs (one earned run).
Dylan Bell pitched a scoreless 0.1 inning.
Brooks and Gambrell each had two hits as the Gators had 8 in the game.Max Bethell (1-1) recorded the loss in relief for the Broncos, pitching 3.2 innings, giving up three hits, two runs (both unearned), striking out two and walking one. Ryan Olson pitched 6 innings in the start for the visitors, giving up five hits, three runs (two earned), striking out five and walking one.
Box Score -----
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.
