Broncos win three of four

Stanislaus State held the Broncos to two hits in game one of a four game series in a 2-0 loss.

Senior Ryan Alsworth pitched eight strong innings, only allowing two runs on seven hits against the Warriors. Alsworth was out dueled by Warriors ace Joe Ryan who is 7-1 this season.

“He has plus command on his pitches and he competed. He doesn’t walk anybody, and you have to earn everything you hit from him,” said coach Randy Betten.

The game started slow as both teams struggled at the plate. In the bottom of the fifth, the Warriors got three consecutive base hits. The Warriors scored on a ground out and a sacrifice fly to take a 2-0 lead.

“I felt good going in, but when I left the ball up they were able to take advantage of it. They scored both runs on three straight singles, but I was able to keep the damage to a minimum and only give up two,” said Alsworth.

In the top of sixth, freshman right fielder Cesar Lopez was robbed of a hit by a great catch by a Warriors’ outfielder. With two outs, junior Nic Hernandez grounded out to end the inning.

Heading to the top of the ninth, the Warriors kept Ryan in to finish the game. Hernandez walked to start the inning. The Broncos’ next two batters struck out swinging. Senior catcher Cody Martin, came in to pinch hit. With a 1-2 count Martin struck out swinging to end the game.

“We didn’t get the big hits that we needed, [but] he mixed up his speeds really well and hit his spots when he really needed too,” Hernandez said.

In game two, the Broncos’ bats came alive with 10 runs on 14 hits and defeated the Warriors 10-9.

Broncos started the scoring in the first as the first two batter reached on base hits and Hernandez singled a run home giving the Broncos an early lead.

With the bases loaded and a run already in via a walk, Martin looked to break the game open in the second inning.

On a 2-0 count, Martin hit a single to center driving in two runs giving the Broncos a 4-0 lead.

Lopez singled to right to extend the Broncos’ lead to 5-0 after two innings.

The Broncos scored four more runs heading to the bottom of the fifth leading 9-1.

The Warriors scored five runs of their own as they cut the Broncos’ lead to two runs.

With a 9-7 lead heading to the ninth, Martin started the inning with a single.

Martin advanced to second thanks to a Lopez sacrifice bunt.

Hernandez hit a single up the middle to score Martin giving the Broncos a 10-7 lead.

The insurance run in the ninth proved decisive as the Warriors scored two runs in the ninth, but their comeback fell short.

Martin went 3-for-5 with two RBI. Lopez also went 3-for-5 with three RBI.

In game three of the series, junior Tim Holdgrafer pitched a complete game, allowing one run on three hits helping the Broncos defeat the Warriors 2-1.

Martin started the game with a single and advanced to third as Lopez hit a double. Martin scored on a wild pitch as the Broncos took the lead.

The Warriors scored a run in the bottom of the second to tie the game 1-1.

Once again, Martin hit a single to start the third inning. Martin stole second with two outs. Freshman shortstop Drew Cowley singled to right to score Martin as the Broncos retook the lead 2-1.

Two runs were enough for Holdgrafer who allowed two hits after the third inning.

In the final game of the series, a ninth inning rally handed the Broncos the 6-4 win and the series win.

The Broncos trailed 4-2 in the ninth and were down to their last out when sophomore third baseman Matt Manskar doubled to the gap in left center to clear the bases and put the Broncos up 5-4.

After a pitching change, Martin hit a chopper to the second baseman who threw past first as Martin charged down the line.

The error allowed Manskar to score from second.

Junior Michael Gomez pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth to secure the win.