SAN FRANCISCO — It took 15 innings but the San Francisco State baseball team took the series opener versus Cal Poly Pomona on Friday, 5-4, at Maloney Field.
- The Gators (13-6/7-6 CCAA) have now walked off three times this season. Jonah Gonzales has two of those game-winners.
- SF State is 4-0 in extra-inning games this season.
- Gators batters drew nine walks, compared to just two by the Broncos.
- The Gators stranded a dozen runners while the Broncos left 14.
- The win was the 103rd career win for Head Coach Tony Schifano. He ties Al Figgone (1971-74, 77-78) as fifth all-time on the Gators' all-time wins list.
- The Gators wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first. Trevor Rogers singled home Jackson Kritsch and Richie Rios followed with a two-run homer for a quick 3-0 lead.
- In the third, a hit-by-pitch and a pair of singles led to a run. Cesar Lopez's single back up the middle cut the lead to 3-1. A Gators infield error in the fourth led to another run and cut the lead to 3-2.
- CPP got to the Gators bullpen in the seventh inning. A leadoff single, sacrifice bunt, and Ryon Knowles single back up the middle tied the game at 3-3.
- In the tenth, the Broncos threatened with a pair of runners but stranded them. Kritsch and Rogers were hit by pitches and one out in the 11th but both were stranded as well.
- In the 13th, the Gators intentionally walked designated hitter Dante Palacio and it paid off. Pinch hitter Derek Marshall Jr. struck out on three straight pitches.
- The Broncos took their first lead of the game in the 14th inning. John Pappas singled to lead off the inning, and Knowles was hit by a pitch. A fielder's choice got a runner out but Lopez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Brennan McKenzie hit into a fielder's choice but it got the job done and put the Broncos up 4-3.
- In the bottom of the 14th, Marco Salvetti singled up the middle. The ball was misplayed in center field, which allowed Salvetti to get all the way to third, though he came up hobbling. Kaleb Becerra pinch ran at third and scored on Gonzales' single up the middle. Gonzales stole second and took third thanks to a throwing error on the play. Jackson Kritsch was intentionally walked and took second easily but Rogers grounded out to second to send the game to the 15th inning.
- In the top of the 15th, Palacio doubled down the left field line but Nate Jenkins got a strikeout and foul out.
- In the bottom of the 15th, Rios led off with a double and moved up 90 base on Jason Hare's sacrifice bunt. Justin Cooney-Sylk struck out but the Broncos elected to intentionally walk Rudy Aguilar, who was 0-for-6, with two outs. Aguilar stole second and Becerra drew a seven-pitch walk. Then, Gonzales sent the third pitch he saw for the game-winner down the right field line.
- Jack Higgins allowed two runs in six innings but was forced to settle for a no-decision.
- Sebastian Selway gave up the game-tying run in the seventh and recorded two outs. He gave way to Mike Manley. Manley and Austin Moberg both gave the Gators two and a third innings of one-hit ball.
- Nate Jenkins (4-2) struck out four in three innings and gave up a run. He picked up his team-leading fourth win of the season.
- CPP starter Gavin Velasquez allowed three runs over six innings.
- Chris Burnette, Troy Bethell, and Steven Ordorica combine for seven innings of scoreless baseball. Eric Romo gave up they game-tying run in the 14th and Connor Tousignant gave up the walk-off to Gonzales in the 15th.
Weather permitting, the series will continue on Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m. and will conclude on Sunday, March 8 with an 11 a.m. doubleheader. The series will be streamed on the CCAA Network and live stats will also be available at sfstategators.com. Be sure to follow San Francisco State Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @sfstatebaseball.
