Saturday, April 21
Riverside, CA
6:00 PM
UC Riverside
7
vs
6
UC Davis
Photo by: UCR Athletics Media Relations
Baseball Notches First Come-From-Behind Win Of The Year, 7-6, Over Aggies
4/21/2012 6:10:00 PM | Baseball
Riverside—The UC Riverside Baseball Team entered Saturday evening's Big West Conference match up with UC Davis without a single come-from-behind win on the season to their credit. It wasn't easy, but the Highlanders scored a single run in the bottom of the eighth inning of a back-and-forth affair, and catcher Bart Steponovich turned in the defensive play of the season in the top of the ninth to remove that monkey from their collective backs in a 7-6 victory.
The Aggies scored four unanswered runs in the sixth, seventh and eight innings to tie the game at six, putting the Highlanders on their heals.
Kyle Boudreau drew a pinch-hit walk with one out in the bottom of the eighth, and was replaced on the basepaths by pinch runner Joe Chavez. Chavez moved to second on a Vince Gonzalez strike out, and David Andriese brought him home with what would prove to be the winning run on a single down the right field line.
The top of the ninth inning wasn't without its drama, though, as Ben Doucette (1-0) retired the first two batters before giving up a single and a walk to put runners at first and second. But Steponovich caught Evan Wolf leaning too far off of first base, and picked him off to end the game.
UC Riverside (13-19, 3-5) starter Edie Orozco wasn't as sharp as he has been most of the season, as the Aggies put the lead off hitter on base in each of the first three innings against the right-hander, scoring on a Brett Morgan RBI ground out in the second, and a solo shot off the bat of David Popkins in the third.
The Highlanders, meanwhile, were matching the Aggies (14-20, 3-5) hit for hit, finally breaking through in the bottom of the third when Phil Holinsworth's single to center scored Eddie Young from second base. Clayton Prestridge then followed with a double down the right field line scoring Holinsworth and Gallaway to give UC Riverside a 3-2 lead.
Cody Hough's single to right center made it 4-2 Highlanders, and Bart Steponovich's walk put runners at first and second for DH Nick Vilter. Vilter ripped a single back up the box plating Hough giving UCR a three-run cushion.
Orozco seemed to compose himself following the Highlanders offensive explosion allowing just one baserunner (hit by pitch) over the next two innings.
UCR picked up what looked like an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth thanks to some aggressive base running as a double steal by Holinsworth and Gallaway caused an errant throw from the Aggies catcher Scott Kalush allowing Gallaway to scamper home.
The Aggies threatened again in the top of the sixth though, scoring one run when Brett Morgan singled through the right side with two runners on. UC Davis then loaded the bases with just one out, but the pitcher's best friend—a double play grounder—made an appearance, and the Highlanders escaped the rest of the inning unscathed.
Davis loaded the bases once again in the top of the seventh, this time with no outs. The Aggies scored one on an RBI ground out by Politi and another on a sac fly by Spencer Brann to cut the lead to one.
Mark Garcia took over for Orozco in the top of the eighth, but he walked the lead-off hitter, Morgan, and after pinch hitter Adam Young sacrificed Morgan to second, Gavin Mills came into the game to replace Garcia.
Kalush then drew a walk to put runners at first and second, and after a strikeout of pinch hitter Nick Lynch, Mills gave way to Doucette. Tino Lipson greeted Doucette with a single up the middle tying the game at six.
The rubber match of this three-game series between the Highlanders and Aggies is slated for Sunday, April 22. First pitch is at 1 pm PT.
The Aggies scored four unanswered runs in the sixth, seventh and eight innings to tie the game at six, putting the Highlanders on their heals.
Kyle Boudreau drew a pinch-hit walk with one out in the bottom of the eighth, and was replaced on the basepaths by pinch runner Joe Chavez. Chavez moved to second on a Vince Gonzalez strike out, and David Andriese brought him home with what would prove to be the winning run on a single down the right field line.
The top of the ninth inning wasn't without its drama, though, as Ben Doucette (1-0) retired the first two batters before giving up a single and a walk to put runners at first and second. But Steponovich caught Evan Wolf leaning too far off of first base, and picked him off to end the game.
UC Riverside (13-19, 3-5) starter Edie Orozco wasn't as sharp as he has been most of the season, as the Aggies put the lead off hitter on base in each of the first three innings against the right-hander, scoring on a Brett Morgan RBI ground out in the second, and a solo shot off the bat of David Popkins in the third.
The Highlanders, meanwhile, were matching the Aggies (14-20, 3-5) hit for hit, finally breaking through in the bottom of the third when Phil Holinsworth's single to center scored Eddie Young from second base. Clayton Prestridge then followed with a double down the right field line scoring Holinsworth and Gallaway to give UC Riverside a 3-2 lead.
Cody Hough's single to right center made it 4-2 Highlanders, and Bart Steponovich's walk put runners at first and second for DH Nick Vilter. Vilter ripped a single back up the box plating Hough giving UCR a three-run cushion.
Orozco seemed to compose himself following the Highlanders offensive explosion allowing just one baserunner (hit by pitch) over the next two innings.
UCR picked up what looked like an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth thanks to some aggressive base running as a double steal by Holinsworth and Gallaway caused an errant throw from the Aggies catcher Scott Kalush allowing Gallaway to scamper home.
The Aggies threatened again in the top of the sixth though, scoring one run when Brett Morgan singled through the right side with two runners on. UC Davis then loaded the bases with just one out, but the pitcher's best friend—a double play grounder—made an appearance, and the Highlanders escaped the rest of the inning unscathed.
Davis loaded the bases once again in the top of the seventh, this time with no outs. The Aggies scored one on an RBI ground out by Politi and another on a sac fly by Spencer Brann to cut the lead to one.
Mark Garcia took over for Orozco in the top of the eighth, but he walked the lead-off hitter, Morgan, and after pinch hitter Adam Young sacrificed Morgan to second, Gavin Mills came into the game to replace Garcia.
Kalush then drew a walk to put runners at first and second, and after a strikeout of pinch hitter Nick Lynch, Mills gave way to Doucette. Tino Lipson greeted Doucette with a single up the middle tying the game at six.
The rubber match of this three-game series between the Highlanders and Aggies is slated for Sunday, April 22. First pitch is at 1 pm PT.
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