March 24, 2012
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Cal Poly got some timely hitting and a pair of solid pitching performances as it swept a doubleheader against San Diego State on Saturday at Baggett Stadium in San Luis Obispo. The Mustangs captured the two contests by scores of 7-4 and 7-0 as they improved to 16-8. The loss dropped the Aztecs to 10-15.
In the first game of the day, Cal Poly opened the contest by scoring four runs in the bottom of the first off Aztec starter Ryan Doran. The Mustangs, who led the game from start to finish, used five hits capped by a two-run double by David Armandariz that made it a 4-0 game.
San Diego State got itself right back into the contest with three runs in the top of the second. Two-out singles by Ryan Muno and Jomel Torres plus a walk to Dillon Bryant loaded the bases and set the stage for Matt Muñoz's double to the left field corner that drove in all three runners to make it a one-run contest.
Cal Poly added to its lead with two runs in its half of the third on an RBI double by Chris Hoo and run-scoring single by Tommy Pluschkell. That ended the day for SDSU's Doran who finished his three innings of work as he allowed the six runs on nine hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
Freshman Adam Anawalt came on to start the fourth on the mound for SDSU and shut the Mustangs out over the next four innings before allowing a run in the bottom of the eighth.
The Aztecs scored a late consolation run as they put one on the board in the top of the seventh on a double by Torres and a two-out Cal Poly fielding error.
Mustang starter pitcher Kyle Anderson, who threw 152 pitches in a complete-game effort, improved to 4-1 on the year while SDSU's Doran was tagged with the loss to fall to 0-3.
Jomel Torres led the Aztec offense with two singles and a double while Chris Wilson continued his hot hitting on the weekend by recording a pair of singles.
The nightcap started similarly to the opener with Cal Poly taking the lead in the first frame. SDSU starter Travis Pitcher surrendered a double, walk and single as the home side grabbed a quick 1-0 lead. The Mustangs doubled their advantage with a run in the second on a double and two-out single.
Cal Poly then chased Pitcher from the contest by scoring three times in the fifth inning to build a 5-0 lead. A one-out double, a fielding error and an RBI single sent the Aztec starter to the dugout with TJ Kendzora coming on in relief. The sophomore right-hander was greeted by a run-scoring double with all three runs in the frame (two unearned) being charged to Pitcher, who would take the loss to even his record at 2-2.
Cal Poly's final two runs came in the bottom of the sixth as Kendzora was touched up for three singles and a sacrifice fly. That ended the scoring as Aztec relievers Philip Walby and Brandon Thomas pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings respectively.
Mustang starting hurler Kyle Brueggemann (3-1) was stellar over his eight innings of work. He allowed only two hits, singles to Matt Munoz and Greg Allen, both in the top of the third. That duo would be the Aztecs' only base runners on the night as Brueggemann retired the final 16 batters he faced wile notching his third win of the season.
Nick Grim tossed the final inning for Cal Poly, retiring the side in order. Over the course of the contest, the two Mustang pitchers faced only two batters over the minimum.
The Aztecs will now return home for a Tuesday night (March 27) contest against UC Riverside scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. start at Tony Gwynn Stadium.