SAN DIEGO – Adam Kerner went 4-for-4 to lead a dominating offensive effort by San Diego, which earned a 12-3 victory against Pacific in the series opener on Friday night at Fowler Park.
The Toreros (30-20, 13-12 WCC) fell behind early after the Tigers (21-23, 8-14 WCC) posted run in three of the first four innings. However, USD responded by erupting for a combined nine runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take control of the game.
Kerner led the way with four hits, three runs, an RBI, a double and a walk.
Tora Otsuka came off the bench in the fourth inning and made the most of it by contributing a game-high five RBIs on a 2-for-4 night. He launched a three-run homer to right field in the fifth inning to give the Toreros a commanding 10-3 lead. It was his second home run of the season.
Ripken Reyes and
Chris McCready both with 2-for-4 and contributed three RBIs apiece.
Chris Murphy got the start on the mound and permitted three runs – two earned – on four hits and four walks with five strikeouts in 4.0 innings.
Anthony Donatella (4-1) picked up the victory after taking over in relief in the fifth and silenced the Tigers offense, allowing just three hits, one walk and no runs with two strikeouts in 4.0 innings.
Cade Brown sealed the victory in the ninth by retiring the side in order and picking up a pair of strikeouts along the way.
Stephen Dubb provided the defensive highlight of the night in the second inning when Pacific singled to left field and tried to score a runner from second. Dubb threw a line drive to Kerner at the plate who made the tag for the out and ended the inning.
USD jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI-double by Kerner. Pacific scored the games next three runs with one each in the second, third and fourth innings to take a 3-1 lead.
The Toreros exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fourth. McCready got the scoring going with an RBI-infield single. Otsuka followed by putting the ball in play and reaching on an error by Pacific's second baseman to bring in the tying run, 3-3.
With the bases loaded, USD retook the lead when
Ripken Reyes hit a bases-clearing triple to put the Toreros up, 6-3.
USD did more damage in the fifth inning with McCready again starting the rally with an RBI-single. Otsuka added three more runs on a homer to right field and put the Toreros up, 10-3.
McCready and Otsuka continued their hot nights in the eighth inning, bringing in a run apiece to provide an extra cushion, 12-3.
Brown shut down Pacific in the ninth to secure the victory for the Toreros.
USD will look to secure a series win in game two on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT.
