Broncos split final non-conference series against CSU Pueblo
By Alex Franco, March 3, 2026
The Cal Poly Pomona baseball team ended non-conference play Feb. 15. by splitting a four-game series with Colorado State Pueblo University.
All four games wrote their own stories, from a blowout by the ThunderWolves in game two to a pitcher’s duel between Pomona’s senior pitcher Andrew Campell and Pueblo’s junior pitcher Jack Novak in game three and a bone-chilling walk-off by the Broncos in the series opener.
“I challenged the guys to be competitive,” head coach Randy Betten said. “I think we’re prepared and we’re talented, but we need to push a little bit more competitively wise, and I think they did that.”
CSU Pueblo, coming off a series loss against Northwest Missouri State University, looked to bounce back against the Broncos as the ThunderWolves prepare for its Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference league matches, hosting nationally-ranked Colorado Mesa University as its league opener March 13.
Senior Dylan Esquival once again proved why he’s one of the top pitchers in the conference this weekend, throwing six hitless innings and striking out seven batters. As the only pitcher in the entire conference who hasn’t given up a run in his qualified starts, and who leads the CCAA in strikeouts (25), Esquival, statistically, is qualified to be the ace of the Bronco’s pitching staff.
The Broncos led most of the series opener 3-0, thanks to a Thunderwolves error and a Blade sacrifice RBI.
The Thunderwolves fought back, scoring four runs and taking the lead in the top of the eighth. Buthe Broncos responded, tying up the game4-4 in the bottom of the eighth with a wild pitch that allowed junior infielder Julian Angulo to score from third.
Heading into the extra innings, CPP put itself in a position to have the top of the lineup up to bat, as this proved to be the winning variable. Loading the bases up, Angulo delivered again with a walk off single, ultimately sealing game 1, 5-4.
“A lot of credit to (Ruiz, Sanders and Blade), they did their job getting on base,” Angulo said. “I knew with bases loaded, no outs they had to pitch to me, and I saw first pitch curveball, and I put a good swing on it. … Luckily it found a hole.”
Campbell found himself a pitcher’s duel with Novak in the third game of this series as both pitchers dominated through three innings, surviving multiple jams and scoring situations. But it would be the Broncos who struck first, denting Novak’s armor.
“It all starts with the bullpens,” freshman catcher Daniel Luther said. “They’re asking us for feedback. We’re giving them feedback and building that trust of like, if we’re going to say something, it’s true, and it’s going to help them.”
Campbell allowed one run in the third game in the top of the sixth, which was the only run scored by the Thunderwolves all game, while Novak gave up two runs.
Redshirt freshman Tyler Blade grounded out into a double play in the bottom of the fourth, allowing redshirt freshman Austin Duarte to score from third base, breaking the scoreless game 1-0.
Angulo, who advanced to third on the double play, also scored on a wild pitch during the at-bat of freshman Justin Yeutter, making the score 2-0.
The Broncos loaded the bases multiple times throughout the series, but of all players who took advantage of it, senior Jack Sanders and Angulo had their moments.
Sanders showed flashes on both sides of the ball during the series, hitting a bases-loaded grand slam in a blowout loss of game 2, as well as making impressive back-to-back defensive plays in game 3, involving him running into the walls of Scolinos Field.
The second game in the series was a disaster for both teams, as each team ran into its own issues, but CPP suffered the worst.
A total of six hit-by-pitches occurred, three by each team, but the Thunderwolves paid no attention to it. Pueblo dominated and won by a score of 18-8, batting around and scoring six times in both top halves of the eighth and ninth innings of the game.
Despite the blowout Saturday night and in Sunday’s finale, both in favor of the Thunderwolves, Betten and the team appreciated facing tougher opponents in anticipation for league play.
“That’s why I set these schedules up,” Betten said. “I mean (CSU Pueblo) is a quality team. They’re going to be a playoff team. I was happy how we competed for these four weeks. We learned a lot about ourselves.”
The Broncos finished non-conference play with a record of 8-6, a .571-win percentage.
CPP will start conference play on the road, heading east on Interstate 10, where the Broncos will start a four-game series against Cal State Bernadino Friday, March 6.
Feature image courtesy of the CPP Athletics
