April 26, 2013

Stats

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of San Diego baseball team put on a late rally scoring three runs in the ninth, but it wasn't enough, as the Toreros dropped a 9-5 decision to the University of San Francisco Friday evening in the opening game of a crucial West Coast Conference series at Fowler Park.

With the Toreros trailing 9-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, they put on their rally caps and attempted a comeback. AJ Robinson led off the frame with a walk, and he moved to second when Ben Wylly was hit by a pitch. Two batters later, Logan Davis singled to right field, scoring Robinson and moving Wylly to second. Austin Bailey then hit an RBI single up the middle to score Wylly and move Davis to second. Two batters later, Jerod Smith hit a two-out single to score Davis and put the tying run on deck in the form of All-American Kris Bryant. But the Toreros could not get Bryant to the plate, leaving the game at its final of 9-5.

The Dons (23-18, 10-6 WCC) got on the scoreboard first, as they pushed across two runs on four hits in the top of the first inning. The USF runs came on a Zachary Turner two-run single to give the visitors the early momentum.

After USF scored an unearned run in the top of the third inning, USD (25-17, 9-7 WCC) would get right back into the game, as they scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning. Andrew Daniel got things started with a single up the middle, and he moved to second on a Louie Lechich single to right center. Dillon Checkal then moved both runners up a base on a sacrifice bunt, and Bryant was intentionally walked to load the bases. Robinson made the Dons pay for walking Bryant, as he hit a two run single up the middle to cut the lead down to one at 3-2.

USF then went on to score one run in the fifth, two in the seventh, and three in the ninth to round off their scoring for the day.

Michael Wagner (1-5) was saddled with the loss on the mound for the Toreros, as he allowed six runs, five earned, on nine hits in 6.0 innings of work. USF's Haden Hinkle (8-1) picked up the win for the Dons, as he allowed two runs on three hits in 8.0 innings of work.

The Toreros and Dons will return to action on Saturday at 6 p.m. as they resume this WCC series at Fowler Park.