The UCSD men’s baseball team gained momentum heading into its first California Collegiate Athletic Association conference game with a 3-1 victory at Point Loma Nazarene University on Feb. 5.
A combined effort from UCSD starting pitcher Alexander Cremidan and the Triton bullpen allowed just one hit for the Crusaders, who previously scored five runs on nine hits against UCSD in a game Feb. 1 at Triton Baseball Stadium.
After the Triton win, Cremidan gave credit to his teammates.
“”We played good defense, and the pitchers hit their spots in the game today,”” he said.
In the first inning, shortstop Joe Schzefer of Point Loma walked. Schzefer later scored when the next batter, designated hitter Matt Mamula, doubled for the only Crusader hit in the contest.
The Tritons quickly came back to tie the game in their first at-bat of the second inning. Leading off the inning, catcher Tyler Sullivan hit his first home run of the season off Crusader starting pitcher Matt Woychak.
UCSD took the lead in the fourth inning when Sullivan scored his second run of the game. With two outs, the Triton catcher, who finished 2-4 in the game, hit a double. He then came home after right fielder David Hawk singled.
Hawk tallied his second RBI against the Crusaders in the sixth inning when he gave the Tritons a 3-1 lead. Hawk took a pitch from reliever Thomas Wold and put it over the fence in left-center field for a home run.
After Hawk’s home run, the Point Loma bullpen settled down and managed to hold the Triton offense in check for the remainder of the game. In fact, the solo shot that cleared the fence was the only hit the Crusader bullpen allowed.
Cremidan went four innings for the Tritons and relievers Logan Boutilier, James Sanders and Robert Peelle completed the game. The UCSD junior starter struck out five, while the bullpen combined for six more.
“”The bullpen did a good job, just like they have been doing recently,”” Cremidan said.
However, the Crusaders did have several scoring chances throughout the game. The Triton pitchers did not keep the bases clear, allowing six walks to Point Loma batters and hitting one Crusader with a pitch.
Kicking off the regular season for the Tritons will be a four-game series against California State University Los Angeles. The first game will begin Feb. 7 at 2:30 p.m. at Triton Baseball Stadium.
