BASEBALL — The UCSD baseball team took three of four from Western Oregon in its opening series of the 2011 season.
In their first-ever regular season night game, the Tritons looked strong in their season-opener, taking a 4-1 win. Ace Tim Shibuya allowed one run in seven innings, left fielder Aaron Bauman had two hits and two runs and the Tritons took advantage of five Western Oregon errors to take the win.
“They didn’t make some plays tonight, and that gave us a chance to score some runs,” head coach Dan O’Brien said. “I can’t say enough about our guys and how they capitalized on those mistakes. Every time they made a mistake we made them pay for it.”
An All-American last year, Shibuya picked up where he left off to earn the win on opening night.
“I love it,” Shibuya said. “It’s the best feeling in the world. Season starts, under the lights, perfect day, and just get up there and set the tone for the rest of the year.”
UCSD installed lights at Triton Ballpark over the offseaon, enabling the team to play night games for the first time this year.
The Tritons followed up their opening night victory with a pair of wins in a doubleheader on Saturday. In the first game, RHP Guido Knudson threw seven strong innings with two runs allowed to earn the victory, and right fielder Kyle Saul had 3 RBI as the Tritons picked up a 10-2 win. Catcher Michael Benton went 3-4 with a run and two RBI.
The second half of the doubleheader was a seven-inning game with RHP Daniel Simmons throwing a complete game, and the Tritons breezed to a 6-1 win. Shortstop Garrett Tuck had two RBI off a triple in the fifth inning, while first baseman Nick Hom had an RBI in his first start as a Triton. Left fielder Aaron Bauman had the first Triton home run this season, a solo shot down the right field line in the fourth inning.
The Tritons’ lone loss in the series came on Sunday, as UCSD fell 7-5. RHP Greg Selarez had a solid outing in his first start as a Triton, giving up three runs on seven hits in six innings and picking up the loss.
But the Triton bullpen faltered, as righty pitchers Justin Burns and Eric Abraham combined to give up four runs in 0.2 innings. RHP Elias Tuma came in to settle things down, but the damage was done. Western Oregon took a 7-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Tritons scored four runs in their half of the inning, but left four men on base in the final two innings and were unable to pull out a win. UCSD left 12 men on base throughout the game, and had problems driving in runs. Evan Kehoe had the only Triton RBI in the game, as the Tritons scored on a balk, wild pitch and two Western Oregon errors.
After the series, the No. 2 Tritons have opened the season 3-1. The Tritons got the wins despite having several players out due to injury.
“I think great teams have great depth,” O’Brien said. “While we’re banged up, we haven’t even talked about it as a team. We just give it to the next guy, and know that someone is going to be ready for the opportunity.”
The Tritons will have another four-game home series next weekend against Mesa State. The first game will be on Friday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at Triton Ballpark.
Readers can contact Liam Rose at [email protected].
