By Joshua Manly
A week after splitting a season opening double header with Cal
State San Bernardino, Cal Poly entered CCAA/RMAC baseball
tournament in St. George, Utah.
On Friday Cal Poly played the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys at
Dixie High School, winning handedly 11-5. The Broncos jumped out to
a 10-0 lead after blanking the Cowboys for the first 5e innings. A
maelstrom of 17 hits included four from Terry Mermer, as well as
home runs from John Leonard and Boggio.
Saturday proved to be more difficult for the Broncos as they
rallied past the No. 18 Mesa State Mavericks 6-5 in the ninth
inning.
Hitters struggled through a 5-1 deficit for the first 5 innings
before tying the score with a pair of runs in each of the next 2
innings. Three pitchers combined over the last 4 2/3 innings to
help the comeback.
Drama struck late in the ninth when a bases loaded situation
confronted Sean Hunter, however, he worked out of the at bat to
record the save. It was his first save of the season.
A doubleheader followed the games on Sunday against Colorado
State University – Pueblo and Dixie State. Cal Poly came out flat
after two emotional games, losing to CSU – Pueblo 17-4.
“I think we came out really flat against a team that we knew we
were better than,” said senior catcher John Daniels. “It was one of
those games that balls just found holes and we never were able to
get hits when we needed them.”
Cal Poly had trouble against Dixie State as well in the second
game, losing 12-6 before heading home to California. The hits never
came together for Cal Poly as there was an opportunity to put the
Rebels away early but were unable to capitalize.
“We just played down to a team that we thought we were probably
better than,” said Daniels. “That was probably our biggest mistake
in both games was playing down to teams.”
Cal Poly leapt out to a lead in the first, lighting up freshman
pitcher Robert Fielding for five runs on three hits. They also had
bases loaded situations in the second inning, which floundered
after two strikeouts and with bases loaded in the sixth inning as
well.
Dixie State tied the Bronco’s in the seventh, 6-6 and then
pushed ahead in the eighth with another six runs.
Anthony Romero threw 6 2/3 innings to start the game giving up
six runs on eight hits, and Bryan Jackson finished off the game
giving up the rallying runs on four hits and fours walks.
Joshua Manly can be reached by e-mail at
managingeditor@thepolypost.com or by phone at (909) 869-4713.
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