Feb. 21, 2009

Box Score

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Cal Poly scored at least two runs in each of the first four innings to claim a 10-3 win over visiting Rice in the first game of a split double-header Saturday afternoon at Baggett Stadium in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Both teams finished the game with 12 hits each. The Owls made three fielding errors and left a total of nine runners on base. The Mustangs manufactured one run before piecing together some hits and walks for second score in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff batter Ryan Lee singled to right, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and stole third. He came home on a sacrifice fly by Adam Buschini but the Mustangs weren't finished. With two away, a single and a double put runners on first and second and back-to-back walks forced in another run for a 2-0 lead.

The Mustangs went on to score two more runs in both the second and third. CPU didn't need any hits for the two in the second inning while taking advantage of a walk and Rice fielding error. Cal Poly began the third with two hits and a hit batsman. The Owls could have cut down on the damage, but made an error on possible double-play ball. Two more had crossed home plate before Rice could get out of the inning.

Rice answered with a run in the top of the fourth. Rick Hague led off with a single and moved to third base on a base hit by Diego Seastrunk. Hague scored on a sacrifice fly by Steven Sultzbaugh that cut the margin to 6-1.

Cal Poly scored for the fourth-straight frame with three runs that made it 9-1. Rice got one of the runs back in the fifth after a single by Michael Fuda and a triple by Chad Mozingo. Seastrunk blasted his second homer in as many games for a 9-3 margin. The Mustangs added one more run in the eighth for a 10-3 final.

It was only the first game of a split-doubleheader. With the three-game weekend series tied 1-1, the same teams play the deciding contest at 6 pm in San Luis Obispo. The game will be broadcast around the world on the Internet at RiceOwls.com.