May 3, 2008

Box Score |

MALIBU, Calif. - Junior All-American Josh Romanski goes the distance and dominated on the mound to help propel the seventh-ranked University of San Diego baseball team (36-13, 14-3 WCC) to a 9-1 win over No. 13 Pepperdine University (28-14, 9-4 WCC), Saturday afternoon in a West Coast Conference game at Eddy D. Field Stadium to even the series at one game apiece.

Romanski (9-0) remains perfect on the season as he allowed one run, while scattering six hits, striking out five and not issuing a single walk in 9.0 innings of work. Pepperdine's Matt Baywater (6-2) was saddled with the loss for the Waves as he allowed nine runs on nine hits in 6.0 innings of work.

The Toreros got on the scoreboard first as they pushed across one run on two hits. Romanski got things started with a stand-up double to right field. Kevin Hansen then drove in Romanski with a RBI single to centerfield to give USD a 1-0 lead.

San Diego then added to their lead in the top of the third inning, scoring one run on one hit. Kevin Muno led off the frame with a walk and moved to third on a Sean Nicol single. Muno then came across on a pass ball to push the Toreros lead to 2-0.

USD then added to their lead in the top of the fifth inning by scoring two runs on three hits. Jose Valerio got things going with a single up the middle and he moved to third on Nick McCoy's single to left center. Muno then drove in Valerio with a RBI single to right field and after a sacrifice bunt from Nicol, James Meador drove in McCoy with a RBI sacrifice fly to centerfield pushing the Torero lead to 4-0.

USD then put the game out of reach in the sixth inning as they scored five runs on two hits. Victor Sanchez led off the inning with a walk, then stole second. With two outs, Jose Valerio moved Sanchez up one base on a slow rolling infield single down the third baseline. McCoy then loaded the bases with a walk and Muno drew a walk to push across the first run. The second run acme across when Nicol hit the ball to the shortstop, who attempted to throw out Muno out at second, but failed allowing all runners to safely move up one base and the second run to come accross. Meador was hit by a pitch to push across the third run and the final two runs came on a Logan Gelbrich two-run double down the left field line to give USD a 9-0 cushion.

The Waves spoiled the shutout for the Toreros in the bottom of the seventh inning as Denny Duron grounded into a double play with the bases loaded to move the score to 9-1.

Offensively for the Toreros, Valerio led the way as he went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

The Toreros will return to action on Sunday with a 1 p.m. WCC game against Pepperdine.