San Diego Athletics

STOCKTON, Calif. — In the series opener between the University of San Diego baseball team and the University of Pacific at Klein Family Field Friday evening, the Toreros were unable to secure that big hit, falling 6-4 to the Tigers.

San Diego (17-29, 9-13 WCC) put the tying run on base with one out against Pacific (21-26, 13-9 WCC) after Aden Howard recorded an RBI single, scoring Jayden Lobliner, and Connor Meidroth registered his second hit of the night through the left side. But USD didn't score again.

The Toreros opened the scoring in the first on a sacrifice fly from Lobliner, plating Gage Mestas. 

Although Pacific scored four times in the third inning, USD responded with a run in the fourth on an RBI double from Cade Martinez, scoring Phoenix Brant. 

In the sixth, the Toreros came within one run, 4-3, on a home run from Meidroth. 

San Diego had other opportunities to score. 

In the fifth, the Toreros had runners at second and third with no outs, but couldn't cash in. USD also left the bases loaded in the seventh.

Diego Gutierrez, who made his 13th start of the season, worked into the sixth inning and got six strikeouts in the process. 

USD's trio of bullpen arms – Aidan Gonzalez,  Chaz McRoberts and Christian Garcia – combined to not allow a run over the final 2.2 innings. 

NOTABLE  

• Moran and Lobliner remain tied for the team lead for playing and starting in every game for the Toreros this season (46 games)
• With a base on balls in the eighth inning, Moran has reached base safely in 30 of the last 32 games. 
• Gabe Springer, who made his return to the lineup Friday for the first time since the series finale at San Francisco (April 12), returned in fitting fashion with his WCC-leading 22nd hit by pitch in the first inning. 
• Meidroth recorded his first home run of the season in the sixth inning and his second in a Torero uniform.
• Andrew Gauna continues to shine at the plate, logging another two hits Friday night and joining Meidroth as the only two Toreros with multiple hits. Gauna, who leads the conference with a .460 (40-for-87) batting average in WCC play, has a 10-game hitting streak and at least one hit in 19 of the last 20 games. 
• Gutierrez remains among the leaders in the WCC in starts (13)
• Aidan Gonzalez registered his seventh straight appearance without allowing an earned run 

UP NEXT 
San Diego continues its penultimate series of the 2026 season when it plays the middle game of the three-game series at the University of Pacific Saturday. First pitch between the Toreros and the Tigers is slated for 3 p.m. Saturday at Klein Family Field. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.