April 11, 2008
Box Score
PORTLAND, Ore. - Behind another solid offensive output and a solid pitching performance from All-American Brian Matusz, the 13th-ranked University of San Diego baseball team (25-11, 5-2 WCC) ran their winning streak to six games as they claim an 8-4 West Coast Conference win over the University of Portland (16-18, 2-5 WCC) Friday afternoon at Joe Etzel Field.
USD wasted no time in scoring as they scored one run in the first inning. Kevin Muno got things started with a single to the second baseman, then moved to second on a Sean Nicol single. James Meador drove in Muno with a double to right centerfield to give USD a 1-0 lead.
San Diego then added to their lead in the fourth inning as they scored three runs on three hits. Josh Romanski led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a Jose Valerio single through the left side. Victor Sanchez then launched his 10th home run of the season, a three run blast over the left field fence, to give USD a 4-0 lead.
The Pilots cut the lead in half in their half of the fourth inning as Tyler Thompson hit a two-run double to right centerfield to move the score to 4-2.
USD took back one of those runs in the top of the fifth inning on a Portland fielding error to move the sore to 5-3.
After USD scored another run on a Valerio run-scoring double, the Pilots again cut the lead down to two on a Riley Henrichs two-run homer to move the score to 6-4.
USD then put the game out of reach in the ninth inning as Meador led off the inning with a triple, then scored on a Logan Gelbrich sacrifice fly to right field. The final run came on a Romanski solo home run to put the game at its final of 8-4.
Offensively for the Toreros, Valerio led the way as he went 3-for-5 with two doubles and one RBI. Romanski, Muno, Nicol, Meador and Gelbrich all recorded two hits on the day for the Toreros.
Matusz (7-1) picked up the win on the mound for the San Diego as he allowed four runs on seven hits, while striking out nine in 7.0 innings of work. AJ Griffin picked up his sixth save on the season as he allowed no runs on one hits in 2.0 innings of work.
The Toreros and Pilots will continue the series with a 1 p.m. game tomorrow at Joe Etzel Field.
