By Mateo Lopez, Apr. 26, 2022
On April 22, the CPP men’s baseball team defeated CSU San Marcos 9-2 in game one of a four-game series at Scolinos Field. With the win, the Broncos have won eight out of their last nine games.
The Broncos finished the game with nine runs off 12 hits while the pitching unit allowed just two runs off 11 hits and striking out the Cougars five times.
“We’ve simplified the game as a team; everybody is feeling more comfortable in their roles,” said head coach Randy Betten. “We just capitalize on our opportunities, and we continue to grind out pitchers.”
The Broncos jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning after a sacrifice flyout by infielder AJ Nimeh to the diving right fielder and a base hit to right field to bring the runner from third home. The Broncos held the Cougars scoreless through five innings.
“(Will) Rudy was impressive again; he had decent stuff and he gave us a chance,” said Betten. “He gave up one run. I mean, that’s impressive. That’s what he keeps doing on Fridays and saves our bullpen for the weekend.”
Rudy finished the game with five strikeouts and seven hits, improving his record to a team-best 6-1.
“I think my pitching varies day to day,” said Rudy. “I try to keep myself calm each start and I try to slow things down, and I think that’s been working well for me.”
Rudy stranded only four runners through six innings with the effort and assistance from the Broncos’ defensive playmaking.
“The whole unit is playing good baseball lately,” said Rudy. “We turned it around and we’ve gotten the results we want and early on we didn’t, and I think we just continue to play good baseball and trust the process.”
In the third inning, outfielder Cesar Lopez made a diving catch to right-center field to start the inning. In the fourth inning, infielder Nick Lugo threw out the leading runner attempting to swipe third base off a slow infield single.
The Cougars would attempt a comeback in the sixth inning, but the Broncos would explode in the sixth and seventh to seal their victory. Designated hitter Jacob Lopez drew a walk with the bases loaded to bring in a run. Catcher Johnny Pappas hit a sacrifice fly to bring in the second run of the sixth inning.
The Broncos would score five runs off four hits and a fielding error in the seventh inning and would be the end of the offensive production.
“It was great all-around effort from everyone, starting with Will going dominant through six innings and then all around the defense played good and kept the ball under control,” said infielder Ryon Knowles.
Knowles would finish the game with two hits on four plate appearances and coming to home plate two times in the second and seventh inning.
“We just kept chipping away, putting up ones and then towards the end of the game, it broke open,” said Knowles. “When we get to the bullpen, we seem to do pretty well, so I’m happy with our team.”
CPP swept CSU San Marcos the rest of the series with wins on game two through four holding firm on their third rank in the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings
The Broncos return to Scolinos Field May 5 for the final home series against Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Featured image by Caleb Nguyen