No. 18 UC San Diego Takes Opener in 5-1 Decision

Box Score

CARSON -- Senior Sean Wardour matched UC San Diego ace Ryan Goodbrand pitch-for-pitch, but the 18th-ranked Tritons used a pair of Toro errors and a 2-run first inning to take an eventual 5-1 decision in the series opener this afternoon in Carson.

With the loss, the Toros fall to 3-7, 0-5 CCAA, while UCSD improves to 9-3, 4-1 CCAA.

Despite the Tritons scoring twice in the first, Wardour settled into a groove during his 6.0 innings of work, not allowing a run until the 6th inning.

Goodbrand, however, lived up his award-winning week, shutting down the Toro bats by continually getting first pitch strikes to the patient Toro hitters.

The Toros eventually broke through with their first hit in the 3rd inning, courtesy of an Alex Sixtos baseknock to left field. But Goodbrand quickly retired the next hitter on a fly out to right field to end the inning.

UCSD added a single run in the 6th on a Nick La Face RBI double, where the score stayed until the 8th inning, when reliever Tyler Mark served up a 2-run home run to Richard Seigel, who pulled a 1-2 offering over the right field wall for a 5-0 lead.

The Toros finally got on the board in the bottom of the 9th off Triton reliever Blake Fassler as a hit and a UCSD error plated Steininger, who laid down a perfect bunt single to open the frame.

But it was too little, too late as Goodbrand stayed perfect at 4-0 on the year, with Wardour taking the loss in falling to 1-2.

The Tritons were out-hit 7-6 overall, with Goodbrand fanning 8 Toros in the win.

The two teams hook up again tomorrow at 2 pm, with Friday's contest designated as baseball's "Think Pink" day. The game can be heard live on the Toro Sports Network by clicking here.

Print Friendly Version