Varela Throws Complete-Game Seven-Hitter As Baseball Tops Sacramento State, 6-1

Sunday, March 9

Riverside, CA

1:00 pm

UC Riverside

8-7

Sacramento State

7-9

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Sacramento State	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	0
UC Riverside	2	0	3	0	1	0	0	0	X	6	9	2

Photo by: Annishia McKoy

Varela Throws Complete-Game Seven-Hitter As Baseball Tops Sacramento State, 6-1

3/9/2014 3:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Riverside—Zach Varela pitched a complete-game seven-hitter, and last week's College Sports Madness national player of the week, Nick Vilter, drove in three runs as the UC Riverside Baseball Team topped Sacramento State 6-1 Sunday afternoon (box score).

Varela retired the side in order in the first and never looked back, allowing just one unearned run in the top of the third while striking out three and walking one.

Meanwhile, the UCR offense gave him a two-run cushion in the bottom of the first. Joe Chavez singled to open the frame, and pilfered second for his seventh stolen base of the season. Francisco Tellez followed with a single through the right side moving Chavez to third, and Devyn Bolasky grounded out to make it 1-0 Highlanders.

Two batters later, Tellez advanced to third on a wild pitch, and Nick Vilter singled to right center to put UC Riverside up by two,

The Highlanders gave one run back in the top of the third as Vilter had trouble with Scotty Burcham's grounder to lead off the inning. David Del Grande singled to left putting runners at first and second, and Nathan Lukes loaded the bases with a bunt single. Brandon Hunley then lifted a sac fly to left cutting the UC Riverside lead in half.

UCR added to its lead in the bottom of the third getting another lead-off single and stolen base from Chavez. Tellez brought him home with a double down the right field line. A Bolasky single put runners on the corners, and David Andriese's fielder's choice made it 4-1 Highlanders. Andriese was caught stealing during Vilter's next at bat, but Vilter followed that up by hitting his seventh home run of the season.

UC Riverside used the stolen base to its benefit once again in the bottom of the fifth as Bolasky walked with one out and stole second. after Andriese drew a walk, Bolasky stole third, and Vilter lifted a sac fly to left for the final 6-1 score.

The Highlanders host West Virginia in the final game of their four-game weekend home stand beginning at 5 pm Sunday evening at The Plex.