Pitcher’s Duel Deteriorates as No. 14 UC San Diego’s Bats Come Alive Late to Down Toros 9-0

Box Score

Carson, CA - In a game when starting pitchers Bret Montgomery for the Toros and Kirby St. John for the Tritons each lasted eight innings, struck out a combined 20 batters and allowed only 12 hits, a 3-0 pitcher's duel in the 8th inning quickly deteriorated as No. 14 UC San Diego scored six runs off the Toro pen in its final at-bat to take a commanding 9-0 win in the series opener. With the loss CSUDH falls to 9-17, 6-7 CCAA, while UCSD improves to 20-5, 10-2 CCAA.

Matt Cantele got the Tritons on the board quickly in the top of the first, launching a 2-1 offering from Montgomery to dead center field for a solo shot and the first run of the game.

After being held hitless in the first two innings, Ryan Ayers roped a one out single down the right field line for the first Toro hit of the day and proceeded to steal second, but St. John was not phased hurling from the stretch, striking out the next two batters swinging to end the inning.

Chris Home led off the top of the 6th for UCSD and a dropped ball third strike allowed him enough time to scamper to first, and an RBI double by Chris Franco two batters later and a sac fly to center by Garrett Imeson pushed across two more runs for the Tritons.

Both starters kept their respective foes quiet over the next two innings before handing the ball over to the bull pen for the 9th.

The nationally-ranked Tritons took advantage of the 6-6 Montgomery not being on the bump, tagging the Toro relievers for six runs on four hits to turn an early pitcher's duel into a blowout.

Montgomery received the loss for the Toros despite striking out a season-high 11 batters in eight innings, while allowing three runs on seven hits without a walk.

St. John picked up his fourth win of the season, allowing just five hits and fanning nine batters for the Tritons.

The two teams will battle tomorrow, Friday, March 14, with first pitch slated for 3:00 pm on Toro Field.

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