Feb. 26, 2008
Box Score
LONG BEACH, Calif. - Freshman third baseman Victor Sanchez goes yard twice to help propel the 12th-ranked University of San Diego baseball team (2-3) to a 5-3 win over No. 10 Long Beach State University (2-2) Tuesday evening in a non-conference game at Blair Field.
The Toreros wasted no time in scoring as in the top of the second inning, freshman third baseman Victor Sanchez led off the inning with his first collegiate home run, a solo shot over the left field fence to give USD a 1-0 lead.
Sanchez wasn't done yet as with his very next at bat in the top of the fourth inning, he launched a two-run shot over the left center field fence which also brought in Logan Gelbrich, who had doubled to lead off the inning. Ryan Davis then kept things rolling with a single to left center and he moved to second on an Anthony Strazzara ground out to the first baseman. After a Kevin Hansen walk, the Toreros had a double steal that moved each runner up one base into scoring position with two outs. Kevin Muno then rocketed a two-run double to right field to push across the next two runs to move the score to 5-0 in favor of USD.
The Dirtbags then took back a run in the bottom of the fourth inning on a Taylor Krick RBI single down the left field line to cut the deficit to four at 5-1.
LBSU then took back another run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a Devin Lohman sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Kip Masuda, who led off the inning with a triple to left field.
Sanchez led the team's offense as he went a perfect 3-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI. Both Gelbrich and Nicol each went 2-for-5 as the other two USD players to record multiple hits on the day.
USD's starting pitcher Ricardo Pecina was impressive in his first appearance this season as he allowed two runs on three hits in 4.1 innings of work. Matt Couch (1-1) was credited with the win as he allowed no runs on no hits in 1.2 innings of work. AJ Griffin picks up his first save of the season as he allowed no runs on no hits in 2.0 innings of work. Manny McElroy was saddled with the loss for LBSU as he allowed five runs on six hits in 3.2 innings of work.
The Toreros will return to action on Friday as they open the USD tournament with a double-header. The first game will be against Cal Poly with a 10 a.m. first pitch and the second game will be against Fresno State at 2 p.m.
