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(June 3, 2002) - The UC
Riverside Baseball team announced the signing of Walter Crancer
(Norco, CA/Norco HS) to a National Letter of Intent, Coach
Jack Smitheran announced Monday.
Crancer, an outfielder, made First Team All-Mountain View
and will play in the Riverside County All-Star Game. He was
named Athlete of the Year for Norco and represented the league
for Sportsmanship at Dodger Stadium.
"Walter had a great year and we have had success with Norco
players," Smitheran said. "He has some power and will make
an immediate contribution."
Crancer hit .459 with 12 home runs, 36 RBI and 33 runs scored.
The team finished 16-10 overall and 10-5 in league to take
first place.
(May 30, 2002) - The UC
Riverside Baseball team announced the signing of Brian Steinmeyer
(Corona, CA/Corona HS) to a National Letter of Intent and
that Matt Cunningham (Santa Monica, CA/Rice) has accepted
a scholarship, Coach Jack Smitheran announced Thursday.
Steinmeyer, a shortstop, made first team all-league and named
Fox Sports Scholar Athlete of the Week, and Press Enterprise
Scholar Athlete of the Week. He was recently named Valedictorian
for Corona High School.
Cunningham, a catcher and outfielder from Rice, hit .307 with
three home runs and 30 RBI for a team that made it to a Super
Regional in 2001. He played at Notre Dame High School in Sherman
Oaks and was named First Team All-CIF.
"Brian adds speed and defense to our team while Matt brings
experience and hitting," Smitheran said.
(Dec. 2, 2002) - The UC
Riverside baseball team signed five high school standouts
and a community college transfer to national letters of intent
in the 2002 early signing period.
“We had an outstanding
early signing period, getting six quality athletes that will
fulfill our needs,” Head Coach Jack Smitheran said.
“We see them all being an integral part of our program
over the next four years.”
UCR signed two pitchers, Riverside Community College transfer
Mike Jones and Paloma Valley stand out Taylor Bills. Jones
will transfer to UCR in the Fall of 2003 and will enroll as
a junior. Jones was a three-year letter winner at Arlington
High School before attending RCC, where he played on the 2002
State Championship team. Bills, a 6-5, 215 pound right-hander,
earned All-Sun Belt League honors last season and will enroll
at UCR as a freshman in the fall of 2003.
UCR also added two outfielders
by inking Brett Bigler and Aaron Seuss. Bigler, a 6-3, 170
pound lefthander will graduate from Santa Ana High in the
Spring of 2003 and will enroll at UCR as a freshman. Bigler,
a three-time letter winner, won all -league and All-CIF honors
in 2002 while setting school records in runs scored and stolen
bases. Seuss, whose older brother Adam played four successful
seasons at UCR before graduating in 2002, is a six-foot, 175-pound
right handed hitting outfielder. He will graduate from Palm
Desert High School in spring of 2003 and enroll at UCR as
a freshman. Seuss played three seasons at the varsity level
earning all-league honors twice and placed on the honor roll.
With current second baseman
Randy Blood in his senior year and shortstop Scott Powis a
junior, the Highlanders inked second baseman Luis Hernandez
and shortstop Kyle Barratt to national letters of intent.
The 5-7, 160 pound Hernandez will graduate from Mater Dei
High School in the Spring of 2003. Hernandez earned all -league
honors and was named team offensive player of the year. Barratt,
a 6-4, 197 pound shortstop will graduate from Crescenta Valley
High School in the Spring of 2003. Barratt, a four-time letterman,
earned all-league and all area honors in 2002.
(Jan. 20, 2003) - Anaheim
Angels’ closer and UC Riverside alum Troy Percival will
have his number retired in a ceremony prior to the annual
UCR Alumni game on Saturday, January 25, at the UC Riverside
Baseball Complex.
Percival, most recently
seen celebrating the Anaheim Angels’ World Series victory,
played for the Highlanders for three seasons spanning the
1988-90 seasons, appearing in 94 games at catcher.
In his final season as a
Highlander, Percival had the best fielding percentage by a
catcher in school history, with a .993 fielding percentage,
recording 240 putouts and 49 assists. His superb defense and
strong arm perked the then California Angeles’ interests,
whom drafted him in the sixth round of the 1990 draft and
converted him to a pitcher.
Playing for the Angels over
the past eight seasons, Percival has emerged as one of the
best relievers in the game. A four-time all-star, Percival
is the Angels’ all-time leader in saves with 250, including
a career-high 42 in 1998. Over his career, he has appeared
in 475 games while striking out 599 batters and posting a
2.95 ERA.
In the 2002 postseason,
Percival tallied seven saves and recorded the final out of
the World Series, to clinch the first World Series Championship
in franchise history.
As an alumnus, Percival
has made many contributions to the Athletic Department at
UCR, and is actively involved in the baseball program at Moreno
Valley High School.
Though Percival wore the
number 26 while attending UC Riverside, the Highlanders plan
to retire the much more celebrated number 40 that he sports
with the World Champion Anaheim Angels.
The alumni game is scheduled
for 12:00 PM.
(Jan. 25, 2003) - The number
40 worn by Anaheim Angels’ closer and UC Riverside alum
Troy Percival was officially retired in a ceremony prior to
the Highlanders’ 6-4 win over the Alumni on Saturday,
January 25, at the UC Riverside Baseball Complex.
With both the current Highlander
squad and the Alumni lined up along the baselines, Head Coach
Jack Smitheran met Percival, who was joined by his son Cole
and parents Richard and Barbara on the mound. With the recording
of Percival retiring Kenny Lofton for the last out of the
2002 World Series blaring in the background, UCR unveiled
a number 40 on the outfield fence and presented a framed jersey
to the Anaheim Angel reliever.
“This is such a great
honor. I had my number retired at Moreno Valley High School
and now here at UCR,” Percival said, “If we keep
winning World Series, maybe the Angels will retire mine as
well.”
Percival played for the
Highlanders for three years spanning the 1988-90 seasons,
appearing in 94 games at catcher.
In his final season as a
Highlander, Percival posted the best fielding percentage by
a catcher in school history, with a .993 fielding percentage,
recording 240 putouts and 49 assists. His superb defense and
strong arm perked the then California Angeles’ interests,
whom drafted him in the sixth round of the 1990 draft and
converted him to a pitcher.
“It is nice to pay
tribute to one of our own,” Smitheran said. “His
career speaks for itself.”
Percival then threw out
the first pitch and after all the celebration had ended, the
Highlanders used a five run fifth inning – highlighted
by a three-run home run by junior transfer Ryan Harvey –
to subdue the alumni 6-4.
The alumni got on the board
first, as Kevin Perkins hammered a two-run home run off of
starter AJ Shappi for a 2-0 lead. Junior Scott Powis’
RBI single cut the deficit to one and Harvey followed with
his three-run blast for a 4-2 lead.
Freshman Aaron Grant drew
a bases loaded walk later in the fifth and Brian Wahlbrink
singled, swiped a base and scored on a wild pitch in the sixth
for a 6-2 lead.
But the Alumni mounted a
rally in the ninth as Tim Moran and Andy Owen had back-to-back
RBI singles to bring the alumni within two, but they would
get no closer as converted reliever Rich Hofman recorded the
final out for the save.
Junior transfer John Martinez
earned the win with a solid inning of relief, and John Nall
took the loss for the Alumni.
The Highlanders open their
season with a three-game home stand against the University
of San Francisco, starting on Friday, January 31 at 3 PM at
the UC Riverside Baseball Complex.
(Jan. 25, 2003) - Transfer
Jeff Crinklaw had four RBI and junior Brian Hoff earned his
first win as the Highlanders used a five run fifth inning
to defeat the University of San Francisco Dons 12-5
at the Riverside Sports Complex on Friday.
Hoff started off a little
rocky loading the bases in the first and surrendering a bases
loaded walk as the Dons raced out to a 1-0 lead.
But UCR recaptured the lead
in the bottom half of the first, pushing three runs across
the plate. Brian Wahlbrink was hit by a pitch and advanced
to third on a single by Ryan Harvey. Tony Festa followed with
a double and Crinklaw knocked in his first run of the night
with a single up the middle. Randy Blood followed with a sacrifice
fly for a 3-1 lead.
UCR would score single runs
in the next three frames before blowing the game open with
a five-run fifth inning, highlighted by Wahlbrink’s
two-run single.
The Dons mounted a bit of
a come back in the seventh plating three-runs with the big
blow being Jason Howard’s first home run of the season.
But the lead proved insurmountable,
as Hoff pitched five innings allowing two runs on five hits
in earning the win and Haley Winter finished up with 2.1 hitless
innings of relief. The Dons’ starter Tony Biale did
not survive the fifth, allowing six runs on eight hits in
taking the loss.
The Highlanders and Dons
will continue their series tomorrow at 1:00 pm, as San Francisco
sends Kevin Rose to the mound to face the Highlanders’
Dan Ellis
(Feb 1, 2003) - Junior Ryan
Harvey hit a three-run home run and sophomore Kevin Mangels
followed with a two-run shot to propel the Highlanders to
a six-run second inning en route to a 14-6
triumph over the University of San Francisco Dons Saturday,
at the UCR Baseball Complex.
Jason Collette singled with
one out in the second and advanced to second on an error.
Matt Cunningham then reached on another error, allowing Collette
to score. Mangels followed with his towering home run to right
field and UCR led 3-0.Brian Steinmeyer then reached on the
Don’s third error of the inning and Brian Wahlbrink
followed with a single to center setting the table for Harvey’s
three-run bomb and a 6-0 Highlander lead.
USF (0-2) crept to within
two at 6-4, scoring four runs off of two Highlander (2-0)
errors in the fourth.
But UCR would put the game
out of reach in the bottom half, with four runs coming on
a bases loaded single aided by two more USF fielding mishaps.
With the bases loaded, Highlander second baseman Randy Blood
hit a dribbler down the third base line that Don third baseman
Craig Click fielded and threw wildly to first, with the speedy
Blood legging out the infield hit. Don first baseman Anthony
Jimenez then recovered the errant throw and threw wildly to
the plate himself allowing all four Highlanders to score.
In the seventh, Mangels
added a solo shot to complete the scoring. Mangels finished
the afternoon going 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI
in his first start as a Highlander, while Harvey finished
the day 2-for4 with a home run and three RBI.
Dan Ellis earned the win
for the Highlanders, and Kevin Rose took the loss for the
Dons.
The Highlanders and Dons
conclude their series tomorrow at the UCR Sports Complex as
the Highlanders send righthander AJ Shappi to the hill to
battle the Dons’ Bryan Williams. First pitch is scheduled
for 1:00 PM.
(Feb 2, 2003) - Junior transfer
Ryan Harvey continued his hot streak by scoring three runs
with a homerun and three RBI to lead the UC Riverside Highlanders
to a season-opening three game sweep of the University of
San Francisco Dons with an 11-3
win at the Riverside Sports Complex on Sunday.
The Highlanders (3-0) got
on the board in the second inning, as Randy Blood led off
with a single and scored from second on a Matt Cunningham
single. Harvey added to the lead with a wind blown solo home
run to right field for a 2-0 lead.
After scoring a single run
in the fifth, the Highlanders erupted for five runs in the
bottom of the sixth to put the game away. Cunningham was hit
by a pitch and Brian Emmons walked. Brian Steinmeyer also
walked and Don (0-3) pitcher Greg Schwenn uncorked a wild
pitch allowing Cunningham to score. Brian Wahlbrink followed
with a RBI single bringing up the red hot Harvey. Harvey hammered
a triple to right field and later scored on a Jeff Crinklaw
RBI double for an 8-1 lead.
Harvey finished the day
3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI, and finished the series
hitting .800 (8-for-10) with eight runs scored, two homeruns
and seven RBI.
The lead was more then enough
for UCR starter AJ Shappi (1-0), earning the win in pitching
6.1 innings strong innings, allowing one run on three hits
and striking out six. Don starter Bryan Williams took the
loss, not surviving the fifth inning.
The Highlanders return to
action on Tuesday, at 3:00 PM, as UCR plays host to the UCLA
Bruins at the Riverside Sports Complex. The Highlanders will
send junior Jaymie Torres to the mound.
(Feb 4, 2003) - Randy Blood
had an RBI single in a three-run sixth and then launched a
three-run home run in the eighth to lead the Highlanders (4-0)
to an 8-3
win over the UCLA Bruins at the Riverside Sports Complex on
Tuesday.
The Bruins (2-2) broke
a scoreless tie as Preston Griffin singled, stole second,
and scored on a Ryan McCarthy sacrifice fly for a 1-0 UCLA
lead.
The Highlanders took the
lead in the sixth, scoring three runs in the inning. Brian
Wahlbrink smashed a home run to straight away center field
off of Hector Ambriz (0-1) to tie the game at one and Tony
Festa then reached on an error, and Jeff Crinklaw walked.
Blood then lined a single over the second baseman’s
head, which got through center fielder Matt Thayer, for an
error, allowing both Festa and Crinklaw to score and the Highlanders
led 3-1.
The Bruins pulled to within
a run at 3-2 when Wes Whisler scored on a wild pitch in the
top of the eighth. But Randy Blood put the game out of reach
with a three-run home run in the eighth to put the Highlanders
up 6-2. The Highlanders tacked on two more runs in the eighth
RBI singles by Brian Steinmeyer and Wahlbrink to complete
the scoring.
Blood finished the evening
3-for-4 with a homerun and four RBIs.
Jaymie Torres pitched seven
strong innings for the Highlanders, allowing one run on four
hits and striking out five to earn the win and Haley Winter
pitched two solid innings in relief to finish off the Bruins.
Chris Cordeiro started for
the Bruins and pitched five shut out innings allowing five
hits and striking out five in a no decision.
The Highlanders return to
action on Friday at 3:00 PM when they play host to the Oregon
State Beavers
(Feb 7, 2003) - Randy Blood
had an RBI double and Big West Player of the Week Ryan Harvey
had a two-run double in a six-run fourth inning that allowed
the Highlanders to overcome an early 5-0 deficit to defeat
the Oregon State Beavers 9-6
at the Riverside Sports Complex on Friday.
OSU (0-1) jumped out to
an early lead, scoring single runs in the first and third
innings before erupting for three in the fourth, helped along
by three Highlander errors.
But UCR (5-0) came back
in the fourth, scoring six runs to take a 6-5 lead. Tony Festa
led off with a walk, Jeff Crinklaw singled, and Blood followed
with his RBI double to put the Highlanders on the board. Matt
Cunningham then lined a RBI single to center to cut the lead
to 5-2. Brian Emmons followed with a sac fly and Brian Steinmeyer
was hit by a pitch. Brian Wahlbrink brought UCR within one
with a RBI single, and Harvey gave the Highlanders the lead
with a two-run double.
UCR added three runs in
the sixth on a two-run single by Crinklaw and a RBI single
by Blood.
Highlander starter Brian Hoff lasted just 3.1 innings allowing
five runs, four earned and leaving with the bases loaded.
Junior John Martinez came in and pitched 3.1 innings allowing
one run on one hit and striking out four to earn the win.
Freshman Haley Winter finished the game, tossing 2.1 shut
out innings to earn his second save ofthe year.
Mike Ekstron took the loss
for the Beavers, allowing five runs in 2.1 innings of relief.
The Highlanders return to
action on Saturday at 1:00 PM sending Dan Ellis to the mound
against the Beavers’ Stephan Copeland.
(Feb 8, 2003) -UCR could
not overcome a five run deficit this time around, coming up
short, losing 8-6
to the Oregon State Beavers at the Riverside Sports Complex
on Saturday.
The Highlanders (5-1) got
on the board in the first, on RBI doubles by Tony Festa and
Randy Blood for a 2-0 lead.
The Beavers (1-1) cut the
lead in half in the second on a solo home run by Seth Pietsch.
OSU then erupted for five
runs in the fourth, as Pietsch lined a two-run triple to left
center field, to give the Beavers their first lead of the
game, and scored on a single by Ellsbury to put the Beavers
up 4-2. The Beavers added two more runs in the inning, scoring
on a RBI bunt single by Chris Kunda and on a balk by Julio
Fernandez for a 6-2 lead.
OSU then added a run in
the sixth on a RBI single by Keirsi Reynolds to push the lead
to five.
UCR battled back in the
bottom half with a four run out burst, highlighted by a RBI
single by Blood and a two-run home run by Kevin Mangles.
Paul Richie added a run
scoring single for the Beavers in the seventh to push the
lead back up to two at 8-6.
Highlander starter Dan Ellis (1-1) took the loss for the Highlanders,
while Ben Rowe earned the win for OSU.
The Highlanders look to
take the rubber game tomorrow when Oregon State sends Stephen
Copeland to the mound to battle the Highlanders' AJ Shappi.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
(Feb 9, 2003) -Matt Cunningham
had a sacrifice fly in the second and freshman Brian Steinmeyer
hit one in the tenth, providing all the offense UCR needed
as Jaymie Torres and co. made the lead stand up with a 2-1
10 inning win over the University of San Diego Toreros at
the Riverside Sports Complex on Saturday.
Randy Blood singled to lead
off the tenth and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Cunningham
walked and Brian Emmons was walked intentionally to load the
bases. Steinmeyer followed with his fly to right, scoring
Blood and giving the Highlanders (7-1) the 2-1 win.
UCR got on the board in
the second, as Jeff Crinklaw singled and moved to third when
Kevin Mangels hammered a double off the wall in center. Cunningham
followed with his sacrifice fly and a 1-0 UCR lead.
Torres made the lead stand
up pitching 6.1 shutout innings, allowing just six hits and
fanning five, before departing with runners on first and second
in the seventh.
In the San Diego seventh,
Mike Oseguera doubled and Jose Ortega walked to put runners
at first and third with one out. Haley Winter came into pitch
for the Highlanders and induced pinch hitter Zach Dobek to
hit a ground ball to shortstop Brian Steinmeyer which deflected
off his glove and went right to second baseman Randy Blood.
Blood stepped on the bag and turned the double play to end
the threat.
San Diego (2-8) tied the
game in the eighth on a Freddy Sandoval RBI double. UCR left
the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth and stranded
two more in the ninth to force the extra frames.
Julio Fernandez (1-0) earned
the win with 1.2 innings pitched of solid relief.
The Highlanders and Toreros
square of again tomorrow, as UCR travels to San Diego and
sends AJ Shappi (2-0 1.35 ERA) to the mound to face USD's
Aaron Wilson (0-1, 9.64). UCR will host the Toreros in the
finale on Monday, at 3 PM.
(Feb 10, 2003) -Kevin Mangels
finished a double shy of hitting for the cycle, knocking in
four runs to lead UCR to a 10-2
win over the Oregon State Beavers (1-2) at the Riverside Sports
Complex on Sunday.
With the win UCR improves
to 6-1 on the season, and edges OSU in the series two games
to one.
UCR got on the board in
the first, when Ryan Harvey singled, moved to second when
Tony Festa was drilled in the back by a pitch and stole third
base before scoring on a Randy Blood sacrifice fly to put
UCR up 1-0 early.
UCR erupted for five runs in the fourth with Mangels' doing
most of the damage on a bases clearing triple, and scoring
on an error.
In the sixth, Mangels smashed
a solo home run to left field, his team leading fourth of
the season to put UCR up 10-1.
AJ Shappi (2-0) was brilliant
for UCR, earning the win in pitching seven innings allowing
just one run on six hits and striking out seven.
Seven Beaver pitchers combined
to surrender 11 Highlander hits and plunk six batters. Nathan
Pendley was tagged with the loss surviving just two innings.
The Highlanders return to
action on Saturday at 3:00 pm, against the University of San
Diego Toreros.
(Feb. 16, 2003) - UC Riverside
sophomore right-hander A.J. Shappi hurled a three- hit shutout
to give the Highlanders a 1-0
victory over San Diego in game two of a three game series
Sunday. The win moved UCR to 8-1 on the season, while San
Diego fell to 2-9.
The Highlanders scored the
day s only run in the first inning as centerfielder Brian
Wahlbrink led off with a single off of USD starter Aaron Wilson
(0-2), stole second and came around on an RBI double by third
baseman Tony Festa in the first inning.
Shappi s (3-0) performance
was dominating as he fanned five, walked one and scattered
three hits. Shappi allowed singles in the first two innings,
then no hits until the seventh. He finished up by retiring
the last seven batters to complete the game.
USD received solid pitching
for the second consecutive game, with Wilson working six complete
innings and allowing just one run on nine hits. Freshman Justin
Blaine came on to pitch the rest of the way for the Toreros,
yielding two hits through three scoreless innings.
The series concludes Monday
at 3:00 p.m. in Riverside.
(Feb. 17, 2003) -After holding
the Toreros to just one run on 11 hits in the first two games,
USD erupted for six runs on 14 hits, jumping out to an early
6-0 lead. But UCR would cut the lead in half but not get any
closer, falling to the Toreros 6-3
in the finale of the three game set at the Riverside Sports
Complex on Monday.
Lucas Wennersten and Mike
Oseguera led the way for the Toreros, combining for eight
hits and five RBI. The Toreros (3-9) opened the scoring in
the third, as Wennersten and Oseguera followed a Joe Prast
single with back-to-back doubles for a 2-0 lead.
Wennersten and Oseguera
repeated the feat in the fifth to put USD up 3-0. In the seventh
and eighth innings, Wennersten added RBI singles, and Eric
Verdugo drew a bases loaded walk to put the Toreros up 6-0.
But UCR (8-2) came back
in the bottom half of the eighth, scoring three runs to cut
the lead in half. Brian Wahlbrink singled, and advanced to
second on a single by Ryan Harvey. Tony Festa followed with
a RBI single to put the Highlanders on the board. After a
groundout advanced runners to second and third, Randy Blood
hit a two-run single to bring UCR to within three.
The rally continued as Jason
Collette took a pitch on the arm to bring the tying run to
the plate. Pinch hitter Matt Cunningham hit a tough hop up
the middle which shortstop Jose Ortega juggled but was able
to recover and force Collette at second to end the threat.
The Highlanders had plenty
of chances to score on the evening, but could not break through
against Sean Warlop (2-1)
UCR ran themselves out of
a scoring opportunity in the third, as Scott Powis singled
and moved to third on a single by Wahlbrink, who took a wide
turn at first and was caught in a run down. During the pickle,
Powis broke for the plate and was thrown out.
In the sixth, UCR loaded
the bases with one out, but Randy Blood hit into an inning
ending double play to snuff the rally.
Brian Hoff (1-1) took the
loss for UCR, surrendering three runs in five innings. David
Dunn earned his first save of the year for the Toreros tossing
a scoreless ninth.
The Highlanders return to
action on Friday, playing host to the CSU Northridge Matadors
in a non-conference meeting, Friday, February 21, at 3:00
PM at the Riverside Sports Complex.
(Feb. 21, 2003) - Senior
catcher Brian Emmons went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double
and five RBI to help the UC Riverside Highlanders defeat the
visiting Cal State Northridge Matadors, 11-8, in a non-conference
game at the Riverside Sports Complex Friday.
Emmons, who entered the
game with just one RBI in his first 14 at bats this season,
used all the fields Friday, doubling to center in the third,
smashing a towering two run homer off the screen in left field
in the fifth, then hitting a three run shot to right field
in the sixth.
Haley Winter (1-0) was
the winner in relief for the Highlanders, while Edward Camacho
(0-3) took the loss in relief for CSN.
The Matadors took a 3-1
lead in the top of the fifth on a RBI single by left fielder
Rudy Simpson and a RBI double by designated hitter Kevin Paulk
off of Highlander starter Julio Fernandez. but UCR answered
with with a four run outburst in the bottom of the inning.
Left fielder Matt Cunningham led off with a double off of
CSN starter Leo Rosales and came home moments later on Emmons'
first homer of the game that tied the score at 3-3. But UCR
wasn't done as Brian Steinmeyer walked and Brian Wahlbrink
singled him to second. Steinmeyer advanced to third on Ryan
Harvey's fly out, then came home moments later as the Highlanders
pulled off a double steal.
The Matadors appeared to
be out of the inning when third baseman Tony Festa struck
out, but catcher Randy Akasaka couldn't handle a wild pitch,
sending Wahlbrink to third and prolonging the inning. The
Highlanders again attempted a double steal, but Rosales was
called for a balk, allowing Wahlbrink to score, giving UCR
a 5-3 lead.
Northridge tied the game
at 5-5 in the top of the sixth as shortstop Dominick Phillips
lashed a two-run double off of reliever John Martinez, who
had come in with two outs after Fernandez surrendered a double
and a walk, but UCR struck for three in the bottom of the
inning off of reliever Ed Camacho (0-3). Camacho gave up a
single to designated hitter Jason Collette and a walk to Cunningham,
bringing up Emmons who crushed an 0-2 pitch over the right
field wall to give UCR a 8-5 lead.
Northridge rallied once
again in the eighth with three unearned runs to tie the score
at 8-8. With two outs, right fielder John Voita reached first
on an error by Steinmeyer. Francisco Enriquez followed with
a single and Phillips followed with his second double of the
game to chase home a pair of unearned runs. Phillips then
scored on an single by Jesse Perez. Haley Winter relieved
Martinez and retired Simpson to end the threat.
The Highlanders made Winter
(1-0) the winner as the tallied three more runs in the bottom
of the inning. Second baseman Randy Blood singled and Jason
Collette reached on an error as first baseman Aaron McKenzie
couldn't cleanly pick up his bunt attempt. Cunningham followed
with another sacrifice, but reached as McKenzie's attempt
to get Blood at third was well late. One out later, Steinmeyer
lifted a "Texas Leaguer" between the second baseman,
first baseman and right fielder to plate Blood and Wahlbrink
followed with an RBI single to score Collette. Harvey capped
the scoring with a sacrifice fly to right to give UCR the
final 11-8 margin.
Saturday's game begins
at 1:00 PM with Matt Larson (1-0) starting for Northridge
against UCR's Jaymie Torres (1-0).
(Feb. 22, 2003) -Jaymie
Torres pitched eight solid innings and Tony Festa hit a game-winning
two run double in the eighth as UCR defeated Cal State Northridge
5-2
at the Riverside Sports Complex on Saturday.
With the score tied two
all in the eighth, Brian Emmons and Ryan Harvey singled, putting
runners at first and third with two outs. Festa followed with
a towering shot to straight away centerfield, scoring Emmons
and Harvey to put UCR (10-2) up 4-2. Festa later scored to
put the game out of reach.
Torres (2-0) earned the
win, pitching eight solid innings, allowing just two runs,
one earned, on five hits and striking out five. Hofman shut
the door on the Matadors (3-9) in the ninth, striking out
two in earning his first save of the year.
UCR got on the board in
the fifth, when Jason Collette and Matt Cunningham single
to put runners at the corners. Cunningham broke for second
and Collette stole home to put UCR up 1-0.
CSUN tied the score in the
sixth as Dominick Phillips was hit by a pitch, stole second,
and scored on a single by Michael Paulk to knot the game at
one.
UCR regained the advantage
in the seventh as Kevin Mangels singled and advanced to second
when Randy Blood was hit by a pitch. Mangels moved to third
on a fly ball, and scored with two outs on a wild pitch.
The lead was shortlived,
however, as Northridge tied the game up in the eighth. Francisco
Enriquez singled, with Leo Rosales pinch running. Rosales
moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to third
on a single by Jesse Perez. Outfielder Matt Lawson threw to
the plate and Emmons couldn't handle the throw, allowing Rosales
to score.
Scott Robertson (1-1)took
the loss for Northridge.
(Feb. 23, 2003) -Matt Cunningham’s
tenth inning double gave UC Riverside a three game sweep of
Northridge with a 4-3
triumph at the Riverside Sports Complex on Sunday.
Randy Blood singled to lead
off the tenth and moved to second on a wild pitch. Jason Collette
followed with a walk bringing Cunningham to the plate. Cunningham
skied a deep fly off the wall in centerfield scoring Blood
to give UCR (11-2) the 4-3 win.
Highlander starter AJ Shappi
pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits
and striking out seven and left with a 3-2 lead.
But Northridge (3-10) tied
the score in the eighth on a RBI single by Aaron McKenzie,
off of reliever Brian Hoff. Dan Ellis (2-1) pitched two innings
of relief to earn the win. Brett Cayton (0-1) took the loss
for Northridge.
UCR got on the board in
the first as Brian Wahlbrink led off with a single and moved
to third on a base hit by Ryan Harvey. Tony Festa followed
with a single to put UCR up 1-0.
The Matadors threatened
in the second, with a lead off double and a pair of walks
to load the bases, but Shappi battled back and struck out
the side to escape unscathed.
Michael Paulk’s RBI
single tied the game in the third and CSUN took the lead in
the fourth inning, as John Voita drew a walk, moved to second
on a balk and scored on a single by Dominick Phillips
UCR struck back in the bottom
half of the inning, as Kevin Mangels singled and Blood hammered
a double into left centerfield to put runners at first and
third. Collette singled, scoring Mangels to tie the score
again at 2-2
UCR regained the lead in
the seventh as Scott Powis led off with a walk and moved to
second on a sacrifice bunt Harvey followed with an infield
single and Festa hit a sac fly to put UCR up 3-2.
The Highlanders return to
action on Wednesday, as the Highlander send Rich Hofman to
the hill to battle the Pepperdine Waves. First pitch is scheduled
for 3:00 PM.
(Feb. 26, 2003) -Pepperdine
came back from a four run deficit to win 13-10
on Cory Brightwell's one-out grand slam in the bottom of the
eighth inning to complete the comeback at Eddy D. Field Stadium
on Wednesday.
With the loss, UCR falls to 11-3 on the year while Pepperdine
upped its mark to 4-4 on the season and snapped a three-game
losing streak.
The Waves began their winning
rally with one out in the eighth inning when Patrick Rooney
walked. Senior shortstop Kevin Estrada followed with a single
to left field and David Uribes followed with a walk.
Freshman right hander Haley Winter (1-1), who came on in relief
to face Rooney, then surrendered the grand slam to Brightwell
and Pepperdine led 13-10.
After taking a 10-6 lead
in the fifth inning, UCR's bats were quieted as Pepperdine
received solid pitching from its bullpen that helped keep
the Waves in the game. Five Pepperdine relievers combined
to throw 5.1 innings in relief and retire 15 of the final
16 Highlander batters, including a stretch of 12 in a row.
Pepperdine's bullpen did
not allow a base runner until UC Riverside's Kevin Mangels
opened the ninth inning with a single up the middle off Nea
Kometani, who earned the save. Sophomore Steven Kleen pitched
a perfect eighth inning to earn his first win of the season.
Pepperdine held a 5-2 lead in the third inning before UC Riverside
went ahead after sending 11 batters to the plate in the fourth
inning and scoring six runs to take an 8-5 lead. After the
Waves cut the lead to 8-6 in the home half of the inning,
UCR put two more on the board to take their biggest lead of
the game, 10-6.
Mangels had three hits
to lead UC Riverside and three other Highlanders had three
hits apiece.
UCR returns to action this
weekend, traveling up to San Francisco for a three game seires
with the Dons. First pitch on Friday is set for 3:00 PM.
(Feb. 28, 2003) -UC Riverside
knocked out three homeruns and added seven extra-base hits
and cruised to a 19-5
victory in the series opener of non-conference baseball against
USF Friday at Benedetti Diamond.
USF (4-9) could not muster
enough pitching to slow down the hot-hitting Highlanders
(12-3).
Junior infielder Tony Festa
enjoyed a big day for Riverside going 4-for-5 with three runs
and a pair of RBI. Senior outfielder Brian Wahlbrink, junior
catcher Jason Collete and sophomore outfielder Matt Cunningham
all homered for the Highlanders. Cunningham finished 3-for-5
with six RBI.
Junior right-handed reliever
Brian Hoff (2-1) earned the win, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing
one run off five hits to go along with six strikeouts. Junior
right-handed starter Kevin Rose (1-2) suffered the loss for
the Diamond Dons, surrendering 10 runs off eight hits. Rose
struck out two.
USF hosts UC Riverside in
game two Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM at
Benedetti Diamond.
Posted thanks to USF Athletic
Media Relations
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