May 12, 2009
IRVINE, Calif. - A big 7-run ninth inning highlighted by a Bryan Haar three-run homer, lifted the University of San Diego baseball team to a 9-2 win over No.1 UC Irvine Tuesday evening in the regular-season finale at Anteater Ballpark.
With the score tied at 2-2 heading into the top of the ninth inning, the Toreros went to work. Chris Engell got things started with a single up the middle and moved to second when James Meador drew a walk. After each runner moved up a base on a wild pitch, Bryan Haar launched a three-run homer over the left field fence to give USD a 5-2 lead. San Diego kept the rally going, as back-to-back singles by Austin Green and Nick McCoy, followed by a Tony Strazzara loaded the bases. Michael Lugo, who pinch hit for Brian Farris, then rocketed a three-run double to left centerfield and Sean Nicol kept things going as he hit a RBI single to centerfield to give USD a 9-2 lead.
With the win, the Toreros conclude the regular-season with a 29-25 overall record and have now won their last four games against a No. 1 ranked team in the nation, dating back to the three-game sweep over top-ranked Texas to start the 2006 season. USD also sweeps UC Irvine this season with the win. With the loss, the Anteaters fall to 37-12 overall.
The Toreros got on the scoreboard first, as they pushed across one run on two hits in the top of the third inning. Jon Hotta got things started with a bloop single into shallow centerfield and moved to second on a Farris sacrifice bunt. Sean Nicol then drove in Hotta with a RBI single to left field to give USD the early 1-0 lead.
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San Diego then doubled their lead in the top of the seventh inning. Chris Engell led off the inning with a stand-up double down the right field line and moved to third on a James Meador fly out to right field. Engell then came across on a wild pitch to give USD a 2-0 lead.
The Anteaters finally got on the scoreboard in the eighth inning, scoring two runs on two hits. The UCI runs came on a bases-loaded hit batter, a bases-loaded suicide squeeze bunt by Ben Orloff to even the score at 2-2.
Offensively for the Toreros, Engell led the way as he went 4-for-5 with one double. Nicol also had a good day at the plate as he went 3-for-5 with two RBI.
USD starter AJ Griffin turned in a dominating performance on the mound for the Toreros. On just three days rest, Griffin came out and tossed seven complete shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out seven batters. Matt Hauser (5-2) was credited with the win, as he allowed no runs on one hit in 1.2 innings of work. Eric Pettis (4-1) was saddled with the loss for the Anteaters as he allowed four runs on three hits in 0.1 innings of work.
