It was announced last Sunday, May 13 that UCSD would enter the four-team West Regional as third seed. The Tritons will be joined by first-seed Western Oregon, fourth-seed CCAA rivals Chico State as well as first-round opponents second-seed Dixie State.
The Tritons have yet to face Dixie State this season, but will need to best the second-seeded squad in a three-game series to advance to the West Regional final. The Red Storm enters the tournament with a 32–18 record, good for a second place finish in the Pacific West conference.
The Red Storm will be making its first national tournament appearance since moving up to Division II in 2004. This season, Dixie State was propelled into the West Regional behind a well-rounded offense and a balanced bullpen.
Right-hander Mike Dedrick (5–4) counts as the Red Storm’s most weathered starter, having pitched 81.2 innings thus far with a 2.98 ERA. Seniors Daniel Zapata (3.33 ERA) and Aus Christiansen will likely be looked to close. Dixie State went through 10 different pitchers in their last four game series against the CCAA’s CSU Los Angeles.
On the mound for the Tritons, junior All-CCAA first team selection Ryan Goodbrand (10–0) will look to remain perfect against the Red Storm. Goodbrand is backed by a strong supporting cast in fellow All-CCAA selection, closer Tony York, starter Jeff Rauh, southpaw Richard Kilbury and submariner Elias Tuma.
The rotation will look to keep Dixie State’s senior catcher Joe Andrade and Japanese national Yuto Kato off the base pads. Andrade and Kato lead the team for games played. Andrade boasts the Red Storm’s highest slugging percentage (.483), while Kato counts as Dixie State’s most consistent hitter.
Conversely, the Triton offense is looking as it has been in 2012. The top of the order — junior Danny Susdorf, junior Richard Siegel, sophomore Garrett Tuck and sophomore Nick La Face — have proven that they’re one of the most lethal combinations in the CCAA. The Tritons will look to see if they’re as effective against national competition.
The game is slated to begin Thursday, May 17 at 1 p.m. The winner will play against the winner of the game between first-seed Western Oregon and fourth-seed Chico State, Friday, May 18, at 5 p.m.
