Feb. 3, 2006
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Junior right hander Josh Butler and freshman left hander Brian Matusz turn in dominating pitching performances as the University of San Diego baseball team upset the No.1 Longhorns of the University of Texas, 4-2, Friday afternoon at Cunningham Stadium.
With the win the Toreros move to 1-0 to open their 2006 campaign, became the first baseball team at USD to defeat a No. 1 ranked team and only the second athletic program in the history of the university to defeat a top-ranked team, USD's men's soccer has twice defeated a No. 1 ranked team. With the loss the Longhorns fall to 0-1, losing their first ever game to San Diego in the team's seven meetings.
San Diego's starter, Butler (1-0) threw five complete innings not allowing a single run while giving up only two hits and striking out five batters in picking up the win for the Toreros. Matusz, making his collegiate debut, also looked impressive striking out the first the first batter he faced, while fanning three others. Matusz allowed two runs on three hits in his four complete innings of work to pick up the save.
San Diego broke the scoreless contest in the fourth inning when sophomore Justin Snyder hit a double to right, bringing across junior second baseman Keoni Ruth, who had walked.
In the fifth inning, San Diego added to their lead bringing one run across on a Ruth sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Kevin Hansen, who had reached first base after being hit by a pitch and moved to second on a Shane Buschini single, eventually getting to third on a balk.
USD put the game out of reach in the seventh inning when they put up two runs on three hits. Steve Singleton led off the inning with a single to center field and moved to second when Hansen laid down a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher. Singleton then moved to third on a Ruth single to the shortstop, and with two outs, junior first baseman Daniel Magness hit a single to the shortstop scoring both Singleton and Ruth.
The Longhons made a late rally putting up two runs in the eighth on a Drew Stubbs double through the left side, but would come no closer as Matusz stood his ground not allowing another Texas runner to score.
Texas starting pitcher Kyle McCulloch (0-1) took the loss for the Longhorns allowing one run on one hit in 3.1 innings of work. Texas was led offensively by Nick Peoples who went 2-for-3 with one run scored.
USD sent nine batters to the plate, with eight registering a hit and freshman Josh Romanski getting two going 2-for-3.
The Toreros will continue their three-game set with the Longhorns with a 1 p.m. non-conference game at Cunningham Stadium on Saturday.
