March 2, 2004
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif.- Four runs in the seventh inning allowed host University of San Diego a 7-3 victory over nationally ranked Division II opponent UC San Diego Tuesday afternoon at Cunningham Stadium. USD junior Freddy Sandoval hit a two-run homer over the right field wall to help the Toreros improve to 6-8 on the season. The Tritons fall to 12-8. Torero freshman Keoni Ruth went 3-for-4 and classmate Josh Butler (1-1) picked up his first collegiate win.
USD took an early 2-0 lead when outfielder's Gavin Ng and Tom Caple crossed the plate in the bottom half of the first inning. The Toreros would add to its lead in the fourth on a sac fly by Ng, scoring Ruth who had reached on one of his three singles. USD starter Kyle Collins worked four scoreless innings and allowed just three hits.
The Tritons made things interesting in the top half of the seventh, pushing across three runs to tie the score on a two-RBI single by shortstop Keith Hernandez. Torero freshman Josh Butler (1-1) was able to pitch through the inning and would be the pitcher of record after USD answered with four runs moments later.
In the bottom of the seventh, Triton reliever Tyler Smith (0-1) walked Caple and gave up a two-run homer to Sandoval, his second of the season. Smith would leave in favor of junior Shlomo Lipetz who promptly gave up RBI hits to both Joey Prast and Ruth.
Having not played since February 20th, USD used six different pitchers Tuesday. Caple came on to work a flawless ninth and freshman Nate Boman struck out two of three batters he faced in the sixth.
The Toreros next play at Loyola Marymount as West Coast Conference play begins with the first of three scheduled for Friday at 2pm.
