After a strong series last weekend against Cal State Stanislaus, UCSD took to the road to face Vanguard University on Thursday in a nonconference match-up.
Combined, the Tritons and the Lions put up 22 hits and 11 total runs in the game. Vanguard came out on top, however, after pushing across its sixth run and game-winner in the bottom of the 10th inning to earn the 6-5 victory.
After Triton pitcher Keith Smith hit Lion catcher Curt Garner and right fielder Samuel Baeder in the bottom of the second, Vanguard third baseman Andy Freeman reached on a fielder’s choice. Garner then crossed the plate on an error by UCSD shortstop Keith Hernandez.
The Tritons struck back in the top of the fourth inning. After UCSD designated hitter Garret Riddle walked, right fielder Tyler Sullivan blasted a two-run home run off of Lion pitcher Josh Franco to put the Tritons ahead by one.
In the bottom of the fifth, UCSD pitcher Alex Cremidan replaced Smith on the mound. Cremidan started off on the wrong foot when Baeder greeted him with a single. Freeman then laid down a sac bunt to advance the runner into scoring position. Immediately after Cremidan hit Vanguard second baseman Sean Moglia with a pitch, Lion center fielder Michael Bair singled and scored Baeder on the play. Shortstop Matt Tisthammer continued the barrage and singled, while first baseman Chad Chop reached on a fielder’s choice. Bair then scored on a wild pitch, as did Tisthammer. Vanguard scored three runs on three hits in the inning.
But the Lions’ big inning did not put a damper on the Tritons as they bounced back to put up three runs on four hits in the top of the sixth inning. UCSD catcher Jeff Riddle led off and singled, followed by a double by pinch hitter Anthony Lococo. Designated hitter Garret Riddle also doubled and scored Jeff Riddle and Lococo on the play. Vanguard pitcher Franco hit Sullivan with a pitch and was then replaced by reliever pitcher Bishop Griggs. UCSD shortstop Hernandez singled to left field and drove in Garret Riddle for the Tritons’ third run of the inning.
UCSD held the lead until the bottom of the eighth inning when Lion left fielder Joe Carnahan smacked a solo home run off of UCSD closer Robert Peele to tie the game at five apiece.
The Tritons threatened at the top of the 10th when Sullivan and Garret Riddle got on base with one out. But UCSD was unable to convert as the next two batters retired in order for the final two outs of the inning.
Vanguard saw its opportunity to win and took advantage of it in the bottom of the 10th.
Lions Chop and Carnahan singled followed by a single by designated hitter Jason Searle. With the bases loaded, Vanguard’s Garner hit a sacrifice fly to center field and scored Chop for the victory.
Peele got the loss for the Tritons and falls to 0-3 while Chop earned the win for the Lions.
For UCSD, first baseman Chad Addison, Jeff Riddle, Lococo and Sullivan all notched two hits apiece, while Garret Riddle went three-for-four on the day.
Vanguard’s Chop, Carnahan and Searle also had two knocks apiece.
UCSD falls to 26-21-1 overall with the loss and turns to face UC Davis this weekend in its last regular season series.