April 27, 2004
(Riverside, CA) - San Diego posted season-high numbers in runs (16) and hits (21) during a 16-8 victory over host UC Riverside Tuesday night in a non-conference game at UCR's Sports Complex. Torero senior Joey Prast became USD's all-time career leader in doubles (64) during a three-run USD third inning that allowed the Toreros to jump ahead 8-0. UC Riverside (28-16) put up six unanswered runs to make it an 8-6 game in the seventh, but the Torero offense exhausted five different Highlander pitchers en route to USD's sixth straight win. San Diego (26-19) sweeps the three-game season series with UCR.
Setting the tone for his most forgettable outing of the season, Riverside starter Jose Shaw began the game by throwing four straight balls to Tom Caple. An RBI sac fly by Josh Hansen scored Caple moments later to put San Diego in front 1-0. Caple scored again during a four-run USD second inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double by Freddy Sandoval. Shaw was ripped for seven runs on eight hits before being removed in the third inning.
UCR reliever Taylor Bills came on to pitch three plus scoreless frames to allow the Highlander offense to mount a comeback. Torero starter Pat Lucy retired the first six UCR batters he faced in order but was chased after three and a third, leaving with an 8-4 lead. Riverside shortstop Brian Steinmeyer went 2-for-3, doubling off Lucy and scoring during UCR's four-run third.
Owning a two-run advantage after six innings, USD freshman Jordan Abruzzo hit an RBI single that sparked a five-run USD seventh that gave the Toreros an insurmountable 13-6 lead. In the seventh, Caple plated Prast and Keoni Ruth on a two-out single to right field. Caple went 4-for-6 Tuesday, doubling and registering four RBI's.
San Diego head coach Rich Hill called upon upperclassman Sean Warlop (2-1) and Andy Martin to pitch in mid-relief. Freshman Josh Butler worked a flawless seventh before loading the bases and allowing a two-RBI single to UCR catcher Nick Salotti in the eighth. James Wickman worked a scoreless ninth.
Tuesday night's non-conference game with UC Riverside (Big West) was the fifth time in 45 games this season San Diego has played under the lights. USD has one more night game on its 2004 schedule, a 6pm date at No. 14 UC Irvine on Tuesday May 11.
