Alex Kline

Baseball

CSUSB scores three in the 9th to knock out the #1 seed

[Box score]

CARY, N.C. - Cal State San Bernardino scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth without getting a hit to knock the No. 1 seed Millersville out of the NCAA Baseball Championships with a 6-5 win. (June 7)
 
The Yotes carried the lead into the top of the ninth after Giovanni Del Negro's two-run put them up 3-2. The Marauders answered with three runs in the top of the ninth to take a 5-3 lead.
 
As has been the case throughout its postseason run, CSUSB was not done until the 27th out was recorded. With one out, three straight batters walked to load the bases. Jason Shedlock was then hit by a pitch to cut the deficit to one (5-4). Then a wild pitch tied the game before Millersville reloaded the bases by intentionally walking Deshawn Johnson.
 
With one out, the bases load, and a tie game, Daryl Ruiz knew exactly what his team needed for the win. On the first pitch he saw, Ruiz hit a sacrifice fly into right field to bring home pinch runner Matt Gonzales for the game-winning run.
 
Luke Hempel gave the Yotes a great start but ended with a no-decision. He went eight innings, giving up six hits and two runs. He did not walk a batter, and he struck out three. The only blemish against him was a two-run homer in the sixth.
 
Cal State San Bernardino won the game despite getting only four hits. They received seven walks.
 
The Yotes will be back in action tomorrow against Rollins at 10:30 a.m. PST. These two teams met in their opening game of the NCAA Championship on Saturday, June 3.