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BOX SCORE
(May 1, 2004) - Trailing
8-5 in the top of the ninth, the UC Riverside baseball team
scored four times to beat Pacific, 9-8, on Saturday. With
the loss Pacific fell to 17-25 on the season and 2-9 in the
Big West Conference, while the Highlanders moved to 29-17
overall and 8-3 in conference.
Pacific held an 8-5 lead with two outs and a UC Riverside
runner on first in the top of the ninth inning, but an infield
single and a throwing error gave the Highlanders runners at
the corners. On the next play, a fielding error by the Tigers,
allowed one run to score and put UC Riverside runners at second
and third.
Aaron Grant then delivered a two-run single to tie the game
at 8-8. Grant took second on the throw to the plate. After
Scott Powis reached on another infield single, Pacific's third
error of the inning allowed Grant to score the eventual game-winning
run as he came in to score and Powis took second on a fielding
error.
Before the ninth inning drama, the Tigers had put together
an impressive offensive performance. Trailing 5-0 in the bottom
of the fifth inning, Pacific scored four runs with two out
and four more with two men out in the bottom of the seventh
to take an 8-5 advantage.
Junior Josh Schmidt (Sierra Madre, Calif.) suffered the loss
(3-3) as he surrendered four unearned runs on four hits in
the ninth inning. UC Riverside's Daniel Stange (1-1) got the
win as he tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Brian Hoff
picked up his seventh save of the season with a hitless ninth.
The Tigers and Highlanders will face off in the rubber match
of this three game series on Sunday, May 2nd at 1 p.m. at
Billy Hebert Field.
BOX SCORE
(May 2, 2004) -The UC Riverside
baseball team couldn't get through Pacific starter Andy Willick
in a 5-1 loss Sunday afternoon.
Willick threw his first ever complete game to give the Tigers
(18-25, 3-9 Big West) the series win.
The Highlanders (29-18, 8-4 Big West), got on the board first
but could not add any more runs as senior John Martinez (7-1)
suffered his first loss of the season, allowing five runs
on eight hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings.
In the third inning, with two outs, Scott Powis and Brett
Bigler connected for back-to-back doubles to give UC Riverside
a 1-0 lead. Willick, however, shut down the Highlanders the
rest of the way as he allowed just three hits the over the
next six innings.
Pacific struck in the fifth as the Tigers scored five runs
on six hits. With runners at the corners Nicholas Sekiya hit
a two-run double into left field to give Pacific a 2-1 lead.
The Aaron Harper singled up the middle, making it 3-1. Pacific
didn't stop there scoring two more times in the frame.
UCR could not rally a comeback. Willick allowed a leadoff
single in the sixth and proceeded to retired nine of the next
10 hitters he faced to move to the ninth when he allowed hits
final hit of the game. Willick allowed a single to start the
ninth inning, but that was all the Highlanders could muster.
Willick evened his record at 5-5 on the season as he allowed
one run on five hits and did not walk a batter in nine innings.
Offensively the Tigers were led by Harper and Ringer as the
duo each finished the game 2-for-3. The Highlanders were led
by Scott Powis as he had three of UC Riverside's five hits
in the game, going 3-for-3.
The Highlanders host UNLV for the team's final non-conference
game of the season on Tuesday, May 4 at the Riverside Sports
Complex. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
BOX SCORE
(May 4, 2004) -The UC Riverside
baseball team used four double plays, including three to end
innings, in Thursday nights 7-4 defeat over UNLV at the Riverside
Sports Complex in UCRÕs final non-conference game of the season.
The Highlanders have won both meetings between the teams this
season.
The Highlanders (30-18) and Rebels (28-17) racked up most
of the runs in the first inning, giving UCR a 5-3 lead after
the first frame.
With two outs in the first, UNLV used five consecutive singles
and taking a quick 3-0 lead over UCR.
The Highlanders struck back in their half of the inning. With
one out Matt Cunningham walked and was driven in on a Tony
Festa double to right. Freshman Nick Salotti singled, scoring
Festa. Designated hitter Louie Hernandez doubled off the center
field wall and Salotti came in to score. Brian Steinmeyer
doubled with two outs in the inning, scoring Hernandez. Steinmeyer
would score the final run of the inning on an Aaron Grant
single, to take a 5-3 lead.
UCR would hold the Rebels scoreless until the top of the ninth,
using double plays to end third, fourth and ninth innings
and stop UNLVÕs scoring opportunities. UCR also turned a double
play in the eighth. Shortstop Brian Steinmeyer was involved
in all four doubled plays.
After allowing the three early runs on seven hits in 2 1/3
innings of work, UCR starter Haley Winter was relieved by
southpaw Chad Decker (1-1) who tossed the next 2 1/3 allowing
just one hit to earn his first win of the season. Taylor Bills
and Marc Rzepczynski combined for 3 1/3 scoreless and hitless
innings. The final UNLV run came off closer Brian Hoff who
allowed one run on a pair of hits while pitching the entire
ninth inning.
UNLVÕs Mark Wagner (2-4) was charged with the loss, allowing
five runs on four hits and recording just two out in the first
before being relieved by Koji Pupo, who allowed just one run,
a solo home run by Cunningham to lead off teh UCR fifth, on
three hits in 5 1/3 innings.
UCR added its final run
of the game on an RBI-single in the seventh by Festa to score
Scott Powis from third to give UCR a 7-3 lead.
Offensively Festa and Scott Powis each had a pair of hits
for UCR. Festa had two RBI and Cunningham plated two runs.
Eric Nielsen went 3-for-5 for UNLV. Eddie Gill and C.J. Ebarb
each had a pair of hits.
The Highlanders travel to Cal State Fullerton to face the
Titans in a three-game Big West Conference set. Friday and
SaturdayÕs games will be broadcast on KPRO (1570 AM) beginning
at 7:00 p.m. each day.
BOX SCORE
(May 7, 2004) - Cal State
Fullerton starter Jason Windsor nearly shut out the Highlanders'
offense, allowing just three hits in the UC Riverside baseball
team's 12-3 loss to the Titans in the opening game of a key
Big West series Friday at Goodwin Field.
Windsor (6-4) faced just three batters over the minimum, retiring
the side in order the first three innings. He looked invincible
until junior Matt Cunningham got UCR on the board with a solo
home run in the fourth inning.
Windsor pitched the complete game and allowed no baserunners
and the three hits - by Cunningham, sophomore Brian Steinmeyer
and freshman Kyle Barratt - were all solo home runs.
UCR starter Jaymie Torres (1-2) took the loss after allowing
nine runs (six earned) on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings of work.
The loss ends a four-game winning streak the Highlanders had
over the Titans, including a three-game sweep last season.
The Titans improve to 29-18 overall and maintain the lead
in the Big West with a 12-1 record in conference play. The
Highlanders drop to 30-19 overall and are still third in the
conference with an 8-5 record.
The Titans jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in
each of the first and second innings to take a 4-0 lead. In
the first, Kurt Suzuki sacrificed in the first run with a
deep fly to the right field wall and Clark Hardman would score
the second on a ground out. A throwing error by the catcher
negated one earned run in the frame.
In the second, a lead-off single, a hits batsman and a muffed
play on a sacrifice bunt attempt loaded the bases for the
Titans. Torres would hit his second batter of the frame to
score the first run of the inning and the final run of the
inning crossed the plate on a double-play ground out.
Cunningham hit his homer in the fourth to cut the deficit
to 4-1 and Steinmeyer cut the lead in half, 4-2, with his
in the fifth.
The Highlanders looked like they might have a shot to break
through Windsor, but the Titan offense struck big with four
runs in the fifth and three in the sixth to put the game out
of reach for UCR with an 11-2 lead.
In the fifth, CSF added the first run on an RBI-single and
then with the bases loaded, Sergio Pedroza doubled to left-center
to clear the bases.
Suzuki, the reigning Big West Player of the Week, blasted
a three-run shot down the left field line in the sixth.
Barratt tacked on the final run of the game on an impressive
homer down the left field line in the eighth, but it was little
to help UCR get back in the game. CSF added one more in its
half of the inning for the 12-3 final.
Four Titans, Hardman, Suzuki, Danny Dorn and Pedroza, all
had a two-hit game. The Titans managed 12 hits as a team.
The series continues on Saturday with the first pitch set
for 6:00 p.m. KPRO (AM 1570) will broadcast the game, tape
delayed, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
BOX SCORE
(May 8, 2004) - Unlike Friday
night, when the Highlanders fell behind early and couldnÕt
get much of anything going offensively, UC Riverside came
out of the gate swinging on Saturday. Matt Cunningham scored
three runs and Nick SalottiÕs home run provided the slim margin
of victory in UC RiversideÕs 6-4 victory over Cal State Fullerton
in a Big West Conference victory.
The victory pulled the Highlanders (31-19 overall, 9-6 in
Big West) within three games of first-place Cal State Fullerton
(29-19, 12-2) in the Big West Conference. The teams will conclude
their three-game series Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
UCR got off to a much quicker start Saturday. Brett Bigler
opened the game with a double and scored on Tony FestaÕs single.
Nick SalottiÕs single later in the inning extended the lead
and Festa made it 3-0 with a sacrifice fly in the third.
Highlander starter John Martinez kept the Titans in check
until the fourth, when Fullerton scored a pair on Felipe GarciaÕs
double and P.J. PilittereÕs sacrifice fly.
The Titans tied the game, 4-4, on a pair of fifth-inning triples
by Kurt Suzuki and Ronnie Prettyman, but Martinez struck out
Garcia to strand the go-ahead runs on base.
SalottiÕs 10th homer of the year, on the first pitch of the
seventh, gave the Highlanders a 5-4 lead and knocked Titan
starter Ricky Romero from the game.
The Highlanders clung to the one-run lead until Kyle Barratt
homered just over the left field wall with two out in the
ninth to extend the HighlandersÕ lead to 6-4.
Martinez allowed four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. Marc Rzepczynski
and Taylor Bills walked a tight rope over the next couple
of innings, but held the lead. Bills struck out pinch-hitter
John Curtis to end the eighth inning and strand the tying
run at second.
Brian Hoff retired the side in order in the bottom of the
ninth to earn the save. By retiring the side in order, he
denied Suzuki - the conference leader in batting, runs, slugging
percentage, and runs batted in - the opportunity to tie the
game.
In earlier Big West action, UC Irvine edged out Cal Poly,
9-8, and remain two games behind UCR for third place in the
conference standings. Long Beach State won again against Pacific
giving them an 11-3 record and second place in the Big West.
BOX SCORE
(May 9, 2004) - Despite
getting on the board first, the UC Riverside baseball team
couldnÕt hold on to the lead falling, 11-4, to Cal State Fullerton
in the series finale Sunday at Goodwin Field. The loss gave
Cal State Fullerton the series win, 2-1.
The Titans improved to 30-19 overall and maintain a one-game
lead for the top spot in the Big West with a 13-2 record.
The Highlanders fall to 31-20 overall and still hold a two-game
edge for third place in the conference with a 9-6 Big West
record.
The Highlanders stranded 15 runners in the game after outhitting
the Titans 14-11.
With UCR leading 2-0, Fullerton struck back with four of their
own in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead. The Titans batted around
in the inning, touching up starter Jose Shaw for three hits,
including a two-run triple from Clark Hardman to score the
final two runs of the inning before Shaw could induce the
final out.
The Titans scored one more in the fifth and again in the sixth
off Shaw, forcing head coach Jack Smitheran to go to the bullpen.
Sophomore Haley Winter took over for Shaw with one out and
a runner on second. Winter hit the first batter he faced in
the sixth and was able to record the second out of the game,
but the surrendered a three-run homer to the Big WestÕs top
offensive player Kurt Suzuki to give the Titans a 9-2 lead.
The Highlanders started a small rally in the eighth with shortstop
Brian Steinmeyer and catcher Jason Collette hitting back-to-back
solo home runs off CSF starter Mike Martinez to cut the deficit
to 9-4. Vinnie Pestano would relieve Martinez, allowing just
two hits and working the final two innings.
Martinez (5-2) left without recording an out in the eighth,
but had enough offensive support to garnish the win, pitching
seven innings, allowing four runs on 12 hits and striking
out seven. Fullerton would score twice more in the eighth
to give them the 11-4 cushion heading into the ninth. Shaw
(3-3) took the loss after pitching 5 1/3 innings allowing
seven runs on eight hits and walking five.
The Highlanders started the scoring in the second inning.
With the bases loaded, right fielder Aaron Grant hit a one-out
single though the left side to score second baseman Louie
Hernandez from third. The next batter, center fielder Brett
Bigler added the second run on chopper to the second baseman.
Bigler was out on the play, but was able to get the runner
in from third to take an early 2-0 lead.
Third baseman Tony Festa and Steinmeyer each had three hits
for UCR. Steinmeyer scored twice and drove in on run. Three
other Highlanders had a pair of hits in the game.
Suzuki continued to dominate the opposition, going 2-for-4
with three runs and four RBI for Fullerton. Danny Dorn and
Clark Hardman each had three hits for the Titans.
The Highlanders host No. 7 Long Beach State in another key
matchup for UCR who is looking for the second consecutive
NCAA tournament appearance this June. The three-game set begins
Friday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Riverside Sports Complex.
(May 13, 2004) - Junior right-hander A.J. Shappi was one
of 12 players to earn CoSIDA Academic All-American first team
honors for District VIII as announced by the College Sports
Information Directors of America Thursday.
Shappi, an academic senior studying chemistry, has a cumulative
3.61 grade point average over his three years at UC Riverside.
Last year, Shappi represented UC Riverside as a Big West Scholar-Athlete.
This season on the mound he is 8-2 with a 3.54 ERA in 14 starts
for the Highlanders. He leads the team with 62 strikeouts
and has issued just 20 walks in 89.0 innings pitched.
Shappi will join all district winners on a national ballot
and which will be voted upon later this month by CoSIDA members.
Box
Score
(May 14, 2004) - The UC
Riverside baseball team fell prey to the top college pitcher
and No. 6 ranked Long Beach State, 11-1, Friday at the Riverside
Sports Complex. The Highlanders witnessed their largest crowd
of the season, drawing 1082 fans to see Jered Weaver (14-0)
pitch an outstanding two-hitter.
The Highlanders (31-21, 9-7 Big West) were held in check against
the highly touted Weaver, who allowed only three base runners
all evening, including a Tony Festa solo homerun to right
in the first inning. UCR was held hitless between the first
and ninth innings as Weaver struck out eight and only faced
29 batters in nine innings.
The 49ers (35-12, 13-3 Big West) scored one run in the first,
but were held scoreless for the next three innings by Highlanders
starting pitcher Jayme Torres (1-3). The top of the fifth
would prove to be the turning point of the game when Long
Beach State sent eight batters to the plate. Torres hit two
batters in the inning, allowed an RBI single to Troy Tulowitzki,
and 2 RBI triple to Jason Vargas.
The Highlanders used three pitchers, but none were effective
against the 49ers’ offense. Chad Decker relieved Torres
in the eighth and gave up four runs in 1 1/3 innings. Brandon
Espinosa made his second appearance of the season, entering
the game with the bases loaded and threw two wild pitches.
Weaver, who will likely be the first pick in this year’s
MLB First Year Players Draft, had fans chanting his name all
night. At one point in the game, he retired 21 straight Highlanders.
The series continues Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Riverside Sports
Complex.
BOX SCORE
(May 16, 2004) - Junior
left fielder Matt Cunningham belted a two-out three-run homer
run to left center in the seventh inning to put the UC Riverside
baseball team ahead of No. 6 Long Beach State, 5-4, preventing
a series sweep in Big West Conference action Sunday afternoon
at the Riverside Sports Complex.
The Highlanders improve to 32-22 overall and 10-8 in the Big
West, while the loss drops the 49ers to 36-13 overall and
14-4 in the Big West.
Cunningham capped off the Highlanders’ seventh inning
where the squad scored five runs with two outs in the inning.
He lifted 2-0 pitch off reliever Scott Juneau to deep left
center, hitting the ball over the 30-foot netting.
“That was as clutch of a hit as you can get,”
remarked head coach Jack Smitheran. “Since we’ve
played here I have only seen two other players hit a ball
that hard to that spot.”
Down 4-0 entering the inning, designated hitter Jason Collette
walked with two outs and moved to third on right fielder Aaron
Seuss’ double. Both Seuss and Collette would score on
a single by second baseman Scott Powis to cut the lead to
4-2. Center fielder Brett Bigler then walked to set the table
for Cunningham’s go-ahead homer.
The Highlanders shut down the 49ers in the next two innings,
allowing just one baserunner on a walk, behind solid defense
and relief pitching.
Cunningham snared a would-be double on an over-the shoulder
catch for the first out of the eighth and right fielder Matt
Lawson caught a ball on the run down the right-field line
to end the eighth.
“We picked it up offensively and had some big plays
defensively,” added Smitheran. “The play Cunningham
made and the play Lawson made to end the inning were big.
If either of those balls get by they go to the wall and then
you’re in trouble.”
Senior closer Brian Hoff pitched the last 1 1/3 innings to
pick up his ninth save of the season. Freshman Daniel Stange
(2-1) earned the win in relief, pitching 1 1/3 innings allowing
no hits and giving up a walk. Juneau (0-1) suffered his first
loss for the 49ers.
For the third time, the 49ers outhit the Highlanders. LBSU
had 11 hits in the game compared to UCR’s 6.
In earlier Big West action, Cal State Fullerton swept UC Irvine
with a 7-3 win over the Anteaters. The Titans now have a two-game
lead over the 49ers for first place in the conference. The
Highlanders are two games ahead of UCI for third place. UC
Riverside closes the 2004 season at UC Irvine next weekend,
while the Titans head to Long Beach.
BOX SCORE
(May 15, 2004) - Missed
opportunities kept the UC Riverside baseball team from being
in contention as UCR dropped a 9-6 decision to No. 6 Long
Beach State in a Big West Conference contest at the Riverside
Sports Complex Saturday night.
The Highlanders (31-22, 9-8 Big West) came within a run of
tying the 49ers (36-12, 14-3 Big West) twice, but in each
case, gave runs back in the next inning.
Down 3-0 in the second, UCR added runs on an RBI-single from
senior Jason Salotti and one more on a ground-out double play
allowing freshman Aaron Seuss to score from third to cut the
deficit to 3-2.
The next inning, the 49ers were able to score three times
on a pair of home runs. Danny Nocny blasted a two-run shot
to left and Mike Hofius hit a solo shot in the next at bat.
Trailing 7-4 in the seventh, the Highlanders battled back
with a pair of runs to cut the lead to 7-6. With the bases
loaded, freshman Kyle Barratt was hit by a pitch to drive
in the first run and sophomore Brian Steinmeyer singled to
left field to drive in the second run. LBSU reliever Brian
Anderson was able to strike out the next batter to end the
UCR rally with three runners left on base.
In the top of the eighth doubles by Jason Vargas and Brad
Davis each scored a run to give the 49ers a 9-6 advantage.
UCR was able to manage just one hit in the last two innings.
Senior John Martinez (8-2) lasted just three innings, allowing
six runs on nine hits and suffering just his second loss of
the season. Freshman Marc Rzepczynski pitched 2 1/3 innings
in relief, allowing one run on six hits and Haley Winter pitched
1 2/3 innings allowing a pair of runs on two hits. Freshman
Taylor Bills was the only Highlander not to allow a run to
score. He pitched the final two innings allowing no runs on
three hits and striking out two.
Cesar Ramos (10-3) earned the win for the 49ers and Neil Jamison
picked up his 12th save pitching a perfect ninth inning.
Long Beach State outhit UCR, 20-13, with John Bowker leading
the way going 4-for-6 with a run and two RBI.
Steinmeyer had another perfect day at the plate going 4-for-4
with two runs and two RBI. Against Cal State Northridge on
April 25, Steinmeyer tied a school record when he went 6-for-6.
The Highlanders will try to avoid the sweep on Sunday in the
final game of the series. The six UCR seniors will be honored
prior to the 1:00 p.m. first pitch on Senior Day.
At
Bat
This weekend’s series may determine the third-place
team in the Big West Conference and potentially an NCAA Regional
bid. The Highlanders (32-22, 10-8 Big West) hold a two-game
lead over UC Irvine for third in the BWC standings and a one-game
lead over UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly, who duke it out this
weekend. UCR needs to win two games against UCI to guarantee
third place in the Big West.
UC Riverside at UC Irvine
Friday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 23 at 1:00 p.m.
at Anteater Ballpark
Probable Starters:
Game 1
UCR: A.J. Shappi, Jr., RHP 8-2, 3.54 ERA
UCI: Brett Smith, Jr., RHP 7-3, 2.02 ERA
Game 2
UCR: John Martinez, Sr., RHP 8-2, 4.01 ERA
UCI: TBA
Game 3
UCR: Jaymie Torres, Sr., RHP 3-4, 5.04 ERA
UCI: Justin Cassel, Fr., RHP 4-3, 3.62 ERA
Media
• Friday and Saturday’s games will be broadcast
on the internet courtesy of UC Irvine, visit www.baseball.uci.edu
and click on the “Listen Live” link.
• All three games will be on Gametracker, courtesy of
UC Irvine, visit www.baseball.uci.edu for more details.
On Deck
NCAA Regional Bracket Announcement - May 31, 11 am, ESPN2
NCAA Regionals - June 4-6
NCAA Super Regionals - June 11-13
2004 College World Series - Omaha, Neb. - June 18-28
Scouting the Anteaters
The Anteaters (32-17-1, 8-10 Big West) have been making noise
all season winning tough early series against California,
Arizona and Baylor, propelling them into Baseball America’s
top-25. But the teams recent sweep by Cal State Fullerton
pushed UCI from the top-25 for the first time in two months.
After losing four straight, the Anteaters got back on track
with a 7-5 win at UCLA on Tuesday. As a team the offense is
batting .293 with five hitters with significant at bats over
the .300 mark. Jordan Szabo leads the squad with a .361 batting
average and is in the midst of a 17-game hitting streak. Matt
Anderson leads the team with 38 RBI to go with his .332 average.
The pitching staff 3.63 ERA is the 22nd best ERA in the country.
Friday starter Brett Smith leads the staff with a 7-3 record
and a 2.02 ERA. Blair Erickson leads the team with 16 saves
along with a 1-2 ERA.
Highlanders Avoid Sweep With Sunday Win
Junior left fielder Matt Cunningham belted a two-out three-run
homer run to left center in the seventh inning to put UCR
ahead of No. 6 Long Beach State, 5-4, preventing a series
sweep. Cunningham capped off the Highlanders’ seventh
inning where the squad scored five runs with two outs in the
inning. He lifted 2-0 pitch off reliever Scott Juneau to deep
left center, hitting the ball over the 30-foot netting. Down
4-0 entering the inning, designated hitter Jason Collette
walked with two outs and moved to third on right fielder Aaron
Seuss’ double. Both Seuss and Collette would score on
a single by second baseman Scott Powis to cut the lead to
4-2. Center fielder Brett Bigler then walked to set the table
for Cunningham’s go-ahead homer. The Highlanders shut
down the 49ers in the next two innings, allowing just one
baserunner on a walk, behind solid defense and relief pitching.
Missed opportunities kept the team from being in contention
on Saturday night. The Highlanders came within a run of tying
the 49ers twice, but in each case, gave runs back in the next
inning. In Friday’s opener, they fell prey to the top
college pitcher in front of their largest crowd of the season,
drawing 1,082 fans to see Jered Weaver (14-0) pitch an outstanding
two-hitter. UCR was held in check against the highly touted
Weaver, who allowed only three base runners all evening, including
a Tony Festa solo home run to right in the first inning. UCR
was held hitless between the first and ninth innings as Weaver
struck out eight and only faced 29 batters in nine innings.
Inside the Numbers
18 Number of runs scored against UCSB (4/17)
and Cal State Northridge (4/25)
122 Doubles hit by the Highlanders, leading the Big
West
5 Number of UCR batters hitting
over .300
4 Number of runners picked off
by A.J. Shappi and John Martinez
11 Times Matt Cunningham and Brian Steinmeyer
have been hit by a pitch
121 Nick Salotti’s total bases
973 Wins at UCR for Head Coach Jack Smitheran
7 Solo home runs by UCR at Cal
State Fullerton and UC Santa Barbara
12 Games UCR has struck out 10+ times
8 Games UCR pitchers fanned
10+ batters
13 Batters struck out by Jose Shaw against
UH Hilo on March 26
11-3 UCR’s record on Saturday’s
3 The number of balls Taylor
Bills had leave Fullerton’s “enclosed” bullpen
450 Estimated distance in feet of Matt Cunningham’s
home run Sunday
2 Perfect games for Brian Steinmeyer,
recently going 4-for-4 (vs. LBSU, 5/15)
It All Comes Down to This One
By no means are the Highlanders out of contention for their
second NCAA tournament appearance. With a 32-22 record overall,
a 35-win season is still a reality. The Highlanders hold a
two game lead over UC Irvine for third in the Big West. UCR
will take third place with at least two wins this weekend.
Even if UCSB sweeps Cal Poly this weekend and UCR takes two
games, they would tie for 12 wins but UCR holds the tiebreaker
by winning the season series. Following this series, the Anteaters
will face No. 14 Washington.
NCAA Selection Time
The NCAA Baseball Championship’s regional sites and
bracket announcement will be made following the conclusion
of the NCAA Division I baseball season. On Sunday, May 30
the regional sites will be announced following Game 11 of
the Division I Softball Championship live on ESPN. On Monday,
May 31 the entire 64-team field will be announced live on
ESPN2 at 9:00 a.m. PDT. The regional round begins Friday,
June 5.
Its Deja Vu All Over Again
Last season the Highlanders were sitting on an overall record
of 34-12 and an 8-4 conference record heading into their final
three Big West Conference series against Cal State Fullerton,
Long Beach State and UC Irvine. The squad pulled off an instrumental
sweep of Cal State Fullerton and closed out with a sweep over
UC Irvine. Long Beach State managed to sweep UCR at Blair
Field.
Ending with the Zots
Every year since joining the Big West, UC Riverside has closed
the season with a three-game set against UC Irvine. Last season
UCR took all three games at the Riverside Sports Complex.
In 2002, the Anteaters took 2-of-3 in Irvine.
Double-Double
With 122 doubles so far this season, the Highlanders have
eclipsed last year’s mark by one. UCR set a record with
157 doubles in 1999.
Hitting 30 Again
The Highlanders hit the 30-win mark with a 7-4 win over UNLV
on May 4. They become the third team in the Big West to hit
the 30-win mark (Cal Poly and Long Beach State are the other
two). Since 1973, UCR has had 17 30-win seasons. Since joining
the Division I ranks, the Highlanders have posted 30 wins
in 2002 and 41 in 2003.
Another Plate for Cunningham
Junior left fielder Matt Cunningham is second on the team
with 46 runs scored this season. The No. 2 hitter has an on
base percentage of .412 and has crossed the plate 25 times
in Big West games, leading the Highlanders in that category.
BOX SCORE
(May 21, 2004) - It was
the Anteaters taking the first game in a pivotal Big West
Conference series as the UC Riverside baseball squad fell,
6-3, to UC Irvine Friday night at Anteater Park.
Coupled with a UC Santa Barbara loss, the Highlanders (32-23,
10-9 Big West) maintain a one-game lead for third place in
the conference over the Anteaters (33-17-1, 9-10 Big West)
and Gauchos (32-19, 9-9 Big West).
The Anteaters jumped to an early 5-0 lead, ending starter
Haley WinterÕs night in just the second inning. After scoring
one in the first, UCIÕs Matt Fisher tripled with the bases
loaded to give the Anteaters a 4-0 lead in the second. The
next batter, Matt Anderson, singled in Fisher to go up 5-0
and send the Highlanders to the bullpen, bringing in southpaw
Marc Rzepczynski to work out of the inning.
Rzepczynski allowed just one run in his 6 2/3 innings on a
two-out RBI-double to Fisher in the third. After that, he
retired the next seven batters and only allowed one baserunner
to get into scoring position while striking out seven.
The Highlanders finally broke through UCI starter Brett Smith
in the fifth. Designated hitter Louie Hernandez led off the
frame with a walk, advanced to second on a groundout and scored
on right fielder Aaron GrantÕs RBI-single through the right
side. Grant would advance to second on an errant throw. Second
baseman Scott Powis followed up with another single through
the right side to drive in Grant, cutting the lead to 6-2.
Catcher Nick Salotti shaved another run off the AnteatersÕ
lead in the sixth, driving the ball to the right-field wall
that the fielder could not handle, giving him a stand-up triple
and driving in third baseman Tony Festa from first.
Winter (3-5) suffered the loss for UCR, while Smith (8-3)
picked up the win going seven innings, allowing three runs
on four hits and striking out nine. Steve Schroer picked up
his first save of the season allowing just one hit and striking
out three.
The Anteaters picked up 11 hits to the HighlandersÕ five,
with four UCI batters with a pair of hits in the game. Fisher
went 2-for-5 with a run and four RBI.
The teams will square off again on Saturday evening. The first
pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.
BOX SCORE
(May 22, 2004) - UC Riverside
pitcher John Martinez moved to 9-2 and kept the Highlanders'
post season hopes alive by twirling a complete game three
hitter a three-hitter, striking out seven and helping the
Highlanders to a 1-0 win at Anteater Ballpark in Irvine Saturday.
With the win, UCR improves
to 33-23 overall and 11-9 in the Big West standings and can
clinch third place outright with a win tomorrow or a UC Santa
Barbara loss. UC Irvine falls to 33-18-1 overall and 9-11
in league play and can finish tied for fourth with a win tomorrow
coupled with a Cal Poly win.
The only run in the game
came in the eighth inning. Kyle Barratt doubled, went to third
on a bunt by Jason Collette and scored on a passed ball by
catcher Mark Wagner.
The run was the only blemish
on a fine performance by UCI starter Glenn Swanson. He retired
the first 11 batters he faced before giving up a single to
Tony Festa in the fourth. Swanson (6-3) went on to pitch seven
innings, giving up three hits and striking out six, but was
hit with the loss.
But the story of the game
was Martinez, who cruised, allowing just six baserunners and
facing only four batters over the minimum, helped in part
by a pair of double plays.
The two teams close out
the series Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
BOX SCORE
(May 22, 2004) - Feeling
as if winning the last series of the season would put the
UC Riverside in the driver's seat for the team's second straight
NCAA tournament appearance, the Highlanders suffered a blow
Sunday, losing to UC Irvine, 4-2, at Anteater Park giving
the Anteaters the series win, 2-1.
The Highlanders (33-24, 11-10 Big West), who clinched third
place in the Big West Saturday, will have to wait until the
tournament bracket is announced on Monday, May 31 to find
out whether they will be one of 64 teams vying for a trip
to the College World Series.
The Anteaters (34-18-1, 10-11 Big West) finished fourth in
the conference behind Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara, but have
a three-game set against No. 14 Washington next weekend that
could give them the opportunity to pull a spot in the tournament.
Senior Jaymie Torres (1-4) suffered the loss, being charged
with three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings of work. Chris
Nichol (7-4) picked up the win in relief, pitching 3 1/3 and
allowing just one hit. Blair Erickson also picked up his 17th
save of the year.
Trailing, 2-0, UC Irvine took control of the game in the fifth
inning, scoring three runs with two outs. The inning looked
as if it would be over as Matt Kennedy grounded to the shortstop,
but Kennedy was able to beat out the play at first, allowing
Matt Anderson to score from third. Tim Stewart drove in the
tying run on a single through the right side ending Torres'
day on the mound. Taylor Bills relieved Torres and surrendered
an RBI-single to Andy Amara before recording the final out
of the inning.
UCI tacked on another run in the seventh on a solo home run
to left off the bat of Matt Wagner.
The day starting out looking bright for the Highlanders as
shortstop Brian Steinmeyer started the scoring in the second,
driving a ball over the left field fence on the first pitch
for a solo home run. UCR added another run in the third when
catcher Nick Salotti's RBI-double plated left fielder Matt
Cunningham from second to put UCR up, 2-0, after three.
The Highlanders had plenty of opportunities to take break
the game open, but stranded runners in scoring position in
four innings.
The team's best opportunity to put more runs on the board
came in the fifth. With two outs and center fielder Brett
Bigler on third and third baseman Tony Festa on second, a
long fly ball to the center fielder ended the threat.
Festa and Cunningham each had a pair of hits for the Highlanders.
Stewart and Jordan Szabo also had two hits for the Anteaters.
The NCAA will announce the NCAA Baseball Championship bracket
live on ESPN2 on Monday, May 31 at 11:00 a.m. PDT.
(May 24, 2004) - UC Riverside
senior third baseman Tony Festa earned his second straight
first team All-Big West Conference honor as announced by the
conference office Tuesday afternoon.
Festa (Danville, CA) led the team with a .367 batting average
and was tied with 51 RBI this season. He was second with 45
runs scored, eight home runs and a .444 on base percentage.
Also receiving honorable mention were five other Highlanders.
Senior pitchers John Martinez (Perris, CA) and Brian Hoff
(Yorba Linda, CA), junior outfielder Matt Cunningham (Northridge,
CA), sophomore shortstop Brian Steinmeyer (Corona, CA) and
freshman outfielder Brett Bigler (Santa Ana, CA) all earned
the honor.
Martinez led the team with nine wins finishing 9-2 with a
3.69 ERA in 15 starts. He led the team with 112 1/3 innings
of work, 64 strikeouts and walked just 18 batters.
Hoff led the squad with nine saves in 27 appearances, working
to a 4-1 record and a 3.14 ERA. He logged 27 strikeouts and
walked eight.
Cunningham earns his second honorable mention after posting
a .306 average, 47 runs scored and four home runs. He was
second on the team with 14 doubles.
Steinmeyer was fourth on the team with a .317 batting average,
recording 14 doubles, 41 RBI and six homers.
Bigler hit .322 as the teams staring centerfielder, leading
the team with 48 walks, 51 runs scored and a .458 on base
percentage.
The Highlanders completed the 2004 schedule on Sunday, May
23 at UC Irvine, but wait to see if they can earn their second
consecutive NCAA Championship Tournament appearance. The entire
64-team field will be announced on May 31.
(May 24, 2004) - UC Riverside
baseball head coach Jack Smitheran was inducted into the Riverside
Sports Hall of Fame on Monday. Men's basketball player Vili
Morton and women's track and field's Syreeta Waller also were
honored as UC Riverside's Outstanding Athletes.
(May
31, 2004) - The UC Riverside baseball team will not make its
second straight NCAA Baseball Championship appearance as the
64-team field was announced today, leaving the Highlanders
out of the tournament.
The Highlanders (33-24,
11-10 Big West) finished third in the conference after the
team's final series of the season last weekend at UC Irvine,
but had to wait to hear their fate until today's announcement.
"Obviously we are disappointed
with the outcome," said Head Coach Jack Smitheran. "Like
many other schools that were on the bubble and didn't get
in, we have a lot of questions that won't get answered. The
bottom line is we need to win more games and we will just
have to live by their decision."
Three teams from the Big
West were selected to participate in the tournament, Cal State
Fullerton, Long Beach State and fourth-place UC Irvine.
UC Riverside, playing in
one of the top baseball conferences in the country, made its
first tournament appearance in 2003 in the team's second year
of competition at the NCAA Division I level. The Highlanders
have also posted 30 wins each season since the transition,
including a 41-17 mark last year.
(June
7, 2004) - UC Riverside junior right-hander A.J. Shappi was
selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth round of
the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft that began
on Monday.
Shappi, posted an 8-2 record and a 3.54 ERA in 2004, and was
the lone Highlander taken in the first day of the two-day
draft.
“It's exciting. It a dream come true and a great opportunity,”
said Shappi. “I look forward to getting the whole process
underway.”
In his three years with the school, Shappi posted a 4.04 ERA,
293 1/3 innings pitched and 225 strikeouts. He is fifth all-time
in strikeouts and seventh all-time in innings pitched
The draft concludes on Tuesday.
(June
11, 2004) – UC Riverside center fielder Brett Bigler
and catcher Nick Salotti were named to the Louisville Slugger
Freshmen All-American team featuring a who's who of baseball
talent as announced by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
Bigler, an Honorable Mention Big West Conference pick, hit
.322 with 13 doubles as he led the team and the Big West with
48 walks.
Salotti hit .346 with 17 doubles, 10 homers and knocked in
51 runs. He was third in the Big West with a .593 slugging
percentage and tied for third in the conference in home runs.
The full release can be viewed on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's
web site: www.baseballnews.com.
(June
18, 2004) - All three draftees, A.J. Shappi, Tony Festa and
Brian Hoff, have signed with their respective teams. Jaymie
Torres also signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis
Cardinals.
Shappi
will report to the Arizona Diamondbacks' Yakima Bears, Festa
to the Milwaukee Brewers' Helena Brewers, Hoff to the Florida
Marlins' Gulf Coast Marlins and Torres to the New Jersey Cardinals.
(June 28, 2004) - UC Riverside
freshman catcher Nick Salotti was named to Baseball America's
Freshman All-American team as the second team pick.
Salotti, who hit .346 with
10 home runs and 51 RBI for the Highlanders last season, was
beaten out by San Diego's Jordan Abruzzo who hit .375 with
nine homers and 49 RBI for the top freshman catcher slot in
the country.
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