Tritons handed 13-2 loss by Point Loma

    UCSD squared off against nonconference rival Point Loma Nazarene University on Tuesday afternoon at Triton Baseball Field.

    Anna MacMurdo
    Guardian

    In their previous battle with the Crusaders just one week ago, the Tritons took a 3-1 decision after two UCSD players blasted solo home runs. However, this was not the case on Tuesday when Point Loma overpowered UCSD and won by a final score of 13-2.

    Sophomore Raf Bergstrom was on the hill for the Tritons and pitched just three innings. Bergstrom began to struggle in the top of the first when two batters flied out and Crusader Matt Mamula singled to right center field. Matt Thorne then blasted a home run to left field, igniting Point Loma’s offense.

    UCSD regrouped, and in the bottom of the first, just after Triton left fielder John Bologna grounded out to the shortstop, center fielder Matt Smith singled down the left field line. With a runner on first and two outs, sophomore catcher Jeff Riddle knocked a triple into center field, scoring Matt Smith on the play. UCSD third baseman Ryan Larson was hit by a pitch from Point Loma starter Derek Davis, and then with runners at the corners, freshman designated hitter Garret Riddle smacked a single up the middle to score Jeff Riddle and tie the game at two runs apiece.

    Though Matt Smith went 3 for 3, Jeff Riddle hit 2 for 4, Garret Riddle went 2 for 3 and Larson went 2 for 3 on the day. The two runs in the first were the end of the scoring drive for UCSD.

    On the visiting side, Point Loma Nazarene scored in every inning but the sixth in its victory over UCSD.

    The Tritons used six pitchers in the loss, including Bergstrom, Tommy Sereno, Keith Smith, Robert Bush, Robert Peele and Dan Krefft. With 10 hits and seven runs recorded in Bergstrom’s three innings, he picked up the loss and is now 1-1 on the year.

    UCSD drops to 6-5-1 overall and remains 2-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while Point Loma improves to 6-2-1 overall and has yet to begin league play.

    “”What’s done is done,”” said Triton catcher Jeff Riddle after the loss. “”We’ve got 56 games in a season and some days things won’t go our way. We’ll continue to work hard and push ourselves, approaching [other teams] the same way we approach every game.””

    The Tritons face off against Cal State Dominguez Hills in a four-game set this weekend. The first two will be played at Triton Baseball Field Feb. 14 and Feb. 15, followed by a doubleheader on Feb. 16 in Carson.

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