| 2005-06
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(May
2, 2006) - UCLA scored three runs in the fourth inning upon
returning to play to defeat UC Riverside 9-4 Tuesday evening
in the conclusion of a game started on March 28. The Highlanders
lose their third straight to fall to 22-18 while the Bruins
improve to 25-19.
Following a 35-day layoff,
the game was resumed in the fourth inning with UCLA's Blair
Dunlap on first after a single and Brandon Crawford at the
plate, facing UCR sophomore RHP Adam Reifer. Reifer got Crawford
to foul out to left on the first pitch but then gave up a
single to Chris Jensen, putting runners on first and third.
Pinch-hitter Jermaine Curtis tried to lay down a sacrifice
bunt but Reifer struggled to field it, loading the bases.
After striking out Hector Ambriz for the second out, Reifer
gave up a bases-clearing double to Sean Smith that made it
9-3.
The Highlanders struck back
with a run in the fifth, thanks to an error by Curtis. With
two outs, junior CF Brett Bigler lifted a foul popup to Curtis
at third but the Bruin dropped it. Bigler was then hit by
a pitch, went to second on a balk, and advanced to third on
a wild pitch. He came home on senior 3B Brian Steinmeyer's
single to third.
That would be the end of
the scoring on this date as Jason Novak (2-1) gained the win,
pitching 3 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and one unearned
run while striking out two.
Despite not even pitching
on this date, UCR junior starter Pat Cassa (1-1) was tagged
with the loss as he gave up six runs on six hits and two walks
in 2 2/3 innings. Reifer was one of five Highlander pitchers
used on the day.
When the game started on
March 28, UCLA's first four batters of the game all scored
in the top of the first off of Cassa. Cassa walked Dunlap
to open the game, then gave up a single to Crawford. After
Jensen was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Tim Stewart walked
to force in a run. A wild pitch brought home run number two
and consecutive sacrifice flies by Ambriz and Smith accounted
for the third and fourth runs of the inning.
UCR struck back with a run
in its half of the first. Junior LF D.J. Hollingsworth led
off with a single up the middle, later stealing second. After
an infield single put runners on first and third, Hollingsworth
came home when Steinmeyer was caught stealing.
The Bruins increased their
lead with a pair of runs in the third thanks to an RBI double
by Ambriz and a run-scoring single from Brett McMillan that
marked the end of Cassa's outing. Again the Highlanders answered
with two runs in the bottom of the third to complete the scoring
to that point. After a leadoff walk to senior C Jeff Abney,
Hollingsworth doubled, putting runners on second and third.
Steinmeyer brought them both home with a single to left. UCLA
starter Brian Schroeder would last one more batter before
being replaced by Novak.
Hollingsworth and Steinmeyer
each finished with three hits while Steinmeyer drove in three.
Smith had four RBI for the Bruins.
(May
5, 2006) - UC Riverside brought an end to its three-game losing
streak with a 11-2 victory at University of the Pacific on
Friday afternoon at Klein Family Field. The Highlanders pull
their Big West Conference record to an even 5-5 while improving
to 23-18 overall and handing the Tigers their seven straight
defeat to fall to 22-20, 3-10.
Sophomore RHP James Simmons
improved to 8-3, limiting the Tigers to eight hits in 7 2/3
innings on the afternoon. He struck out seven and walked two
but lost his shutout bid on Matt Berezay's solo home run in
the eighth. Junior LHP Pat Cassa got the final four outs,
allowing a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
Simmons got all the support
he would need as senior RF Aaron Grant led off the game with
first triple of the year. Junior CF Brett Bigler followed
with an RBI single to put the visitors ahead 1-0.
UCR picked up a single run
in the third through an RBI single by senior 3B Brian Steinmeyer
before breaking the game open with a four-run fifth, thanks
to three Tiger errors. Sophomore SS Jaime Pedroza led off
with a single to the pitcher, Ty’Relle Harris, and advanced
to second when Harris threw the ball away. After Grant was
hit by a pitch and Bigler walked, Steinmeyer hit a sacrifice
fly to make it 3-0. A wild pitch and two walks brought home
another run and two more scored when UOP SS Adam Ching committed
a pair of errors with the bases loaded.
The Highlanders tacked on
five more runs in the eighth, batting around for the second
time in the game. Grant hit a two-run single and junior LF
D.J. Hollingsworth followed four batters later with a two-run
double.
Both teams registered 11
hits but the Tigers were victimized by mistakes all day as
they committed four errors and issued six walks to the Highlanders.
Harris (4-3) suffered the loss for Pacific, striking out a
career-high seven in six innings. He walked five and gave
up five hits.
Grant finished the game
3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI. Pedroza was also
3-for-4 and scored three times while Steinmeyer, Bigler, and
Hollingsworth all drove in two apiece.
(May
6, 2006) - University of the Pacific snapped its seven-game
losing streak with a 5-4 victory over UC Riverside on Saturday
afternoon at Klein Family Field. The Highlanders drop to 23-19,
5-6 in the Big West Conference while the Tigers improve to
23-20, 4-10.
One day after UCR scored
11 runs on 11 hits, Pacific freshman pitcher Joey Centanni
(4-3) shut down the Highlanders, tossing his second career
complete game. Centanni allowed four earned runs on seven
hits and three walks while striking out five.
Pacific struck twice in
the bottom of the second to take the lead. Bob Saunders singled
to open the inning and was sacrificed to second. A single
by John Joines put runners on first and third and Justin Baum
followed with an RBI single, one of his four hits on the afternoon.
After UCR junior Taylor Bills struck out Matt Berezay for
out number two, he hit John Devany to load the bases. Anthony
Jackson then hit a single to left to make it 2-0. On the play,
Baum tried to score from second but was thrown out at the
plate by UCR junior LF D.J. Hollingsworth to end the inning.
UCR answered back with a
run in the top of the third as senior RF Aaron Grant hit into
a run-scoring fielder's choice to plate junior 1B Nick Salotti,
who had doubled earlier. The Highlanders tied it up in the
fourth when Hollingsworth doubled with two outs, then scored
on junior INF Kyle Barratt's triple.
The tie would not last long
as the Tigers regained the lead with a pair of runs in the
bottom of the frame, both with two outs. With one out, Baum
doubled and Berezay followed with a walk. Two batters later,
Bills uncorked a wild pitch to move the runners up, enabling
them both to score on Jackson's single to center.
For the second time in the
game, UCR tied it up, scoring twice in the sixth. Junior CF
Brett Bigler walked and was followed by a single by senior
3B Brian Steinmeyer. After a sacrifice bunt put runners on
second and third, Salotti brought them home with a single
to right to tie the game at 4-4.
Yet again, the tie would
not last into the next inning as UOP took the lead for good
in the bottom of the sixth. Joines was hit to open the inning
and Bills was replaced by junior LHP Marc Rzepczynski. He
promptly gave up a double to Baum to put runners on second
and third, then threw a wild pitch that brought Joines in
with the go-ahead run. Rzepczynski bore down after that, striking
out the side to keep the Tigers from blowing the game open.
UCR would look to rally
one more time, putting runners on second and third with one
out in the eighth but Centanni got out of the inning with
a strikeout and fly out. He threw a perfect ninth to close
it out.
Bills (4-4) took the loss
for UCR, giving up five runs on eight hits in five innings.
Bills only walked one batter but hit four Tigers. He also
struck out five.
Salotti finished 2-for-4
with two RBI. Steinmeyer also had two hits.
Baum went 4-for-4 at the
top of the Tiger lineup while Jackson was 2-for-3 with three
RBI.
(May
7, 2006) - University of the Pacific rallied for two runs
in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat UC Riverside 5-4
and claim the series on Sunday afternoon at Klein Family Field.
The Highlanders drop to 23-20, 5-7 in the Big West Conference
while the Tigers improve to 24-20, 5-10.
Trailing 4-3 entering the
bottom of the ninth, the Tigers scored twice off UCR junior
closer Daniel Stange (1-2). Matt Berezay doubled on Stange's
first pitch and was sacrificed to third. Jake Ross then tied
the game with a double of his own. After a single put runners
on first and third, Stange struck out Brett Manning for the
second out. Bob Saunders then ended the game with a single
to left.
Curtis Pasma (3-2) pitched
the final two outs of the ninth to gain the win in relief
of Pacific starter Luke Massetti. Massetti went 8 1/3 innings,
allowing four runs on ten hits.
UCR got on the board with
a run in the first on three consecutive singles, the last
a run-scoring shot to left by sophomore C Jeff Dunbar. Pacific
went ahead with a pair of runs in the third through an RBI
double by Anthony Jackson and Jason Haar's subsequent single.
The Highlanders drew level
at 2-2 in the sixth on junior LF D.J. Hollngsworth's solo
homer to center, his team-leading fourth of the year. Another
run in the seventh put UCR ahead as sophomore SS Jaime Pedroza
tripled and scored on a single by junior CF Brett Bigler.
The lead would only last
a half-inning as the Tigers loaded the bases in their portion
of the seventh. John Devany doubled with one out and Berezay
walked, ending the day of UCR senior starter Haley Winter.
Sophomore LHP Dan Runzler came on and promptly hit two straight
batters to force in the tying run. Sophomore RHP Adam Reifer
replaced Runzler and saved the Highlanders from falling behind
by getting the final two outs of the inning.
UCR would take its third
lead of the day in the top of the ninth on sophomore 2B Drew
Garcia's third home run but could not hold it as Pacific set
up its rally in the ninth.
Winter had a solid outing,
tying his season high with eight strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
He allowed three runs on eight hits before giving way to the
bullpen.
Bigler was 2-for-4 with
an RBI and his team-leading 21st stolen base of the season.
Garcia and Pedroza also had two hits each.
(May
9, 2006) - UC Riverside overcame a 2-0 deficit to record its
first-ever victory over #20 Pepperdine University with a 5-3
win Tuesday afternoon at Eddy D. Field Stadium in Malibu.
The Highlanders snap a two-game winning streak to improve
their record to 24-20 while the Waves fall to 33-18.
Pepperdine got on the board
first with two runs in the bottom of the first on Danny Worth's
two-out, two-run double to left center. After that, it was
all UCR as the Highlanders pulled a run back in the third
on sophomore SS Jaime Pedroza's squeeze bunt that scored senior
RF Andy Clay.
UCR took the lead for good
in the sixth with a pair of runs. Junior LF D.J. Hollingsworth
led off with a walk and went to third on a double by junior
1B Kyle Barratt. A walk loaded the bases and Pedroza delivered
again, hitting an RBI groundout to bring home Hollingsworth.
Pepperdine pitcher Adam Olbrychowski then walked the next
two hitters to force in the go-ahead run.
The Highlanders added two
more insurance runs in the ninth. Consecutive singles by sophomore
C Jeff Dunbar and Hollingsworth put runners on first and second
before Clay delivered an RBI single to right. Garcia then
squeezed a single through the right side to plate Hollingsworth
and put UCR ahead 5-2.
Pepperdine mounted a last-gasp
rally in the bottom of the ninth. Worth singled to open the
inning and moved to third on a double by Chase d'Arnaud. Junior
RHP Daniel Stange came on in relief of junior LHP Marc Rzepczynski
and gave up back-to-back fly outs, the second of which scored
Worth. With the tying run at the plate, Stange then struck
out Justin Tellam to end the game.
Rzepczynski (3-1) had an
outstanding start, tossing eight innings. He allowed three
runs on eight hits while striking out five. Stange picked
up his 10th save of the season to set UCR's new Division I
record for most saves in a single season.
The third of five Wave pitchers
on the day, Olbrychowski (2-4) suffered the loss. He was tagged
for two runs on one hit in one inning of work but was done
in by issuing four walks.
UCR's offense was keyed
by the bottom of the order as Clay and Garcia each had two
hits and an RBI. Pedroza went 1-for-2 with two RBI.
The win was UCR's first
in four all-time meetings against Pepperdine. The Highlanders
also improved to 3-6 this season against ranked opponents.
(May
12, 2006) - UC Riverside committed four errors that led to
four Matador runs as Cal State Northridge posted a 9-4 victory
Friday night in a Big West Conference game at the Riverside
Sports Complex. The Highlanders fall to 24-21, 5-8 BWC, while
the Matadors improve to 24-23, 5-8 BWC.
UCR
took the lead in the bottom of the second when sophomore 2B
Drew Garcia doubled to right field with two outs. On the next
play, sophomore SS Jaime Pedroza singled to right. CSUN rightfielder
Paul Wilson came up throwing and had Garcia gunned down at
the plate but catcher Steve Lemmon went low to tag the runner
as Garcia leaped over his glove, touching home as he slid
by.
CSUN
wasted no time in answering, pulling even in the top of the
third. Raymond Ravago led off with a single and was sacrificed
to second, scoring two batters later on a single by Kris Kasarjian.
The Matadors then blew the game open with eight runs over
the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. In the sixth, Northridge
had runners at first and second with two outs before UCR sophomore
starter James Simmons hit Erik Hagstrom. Wilson followed with
a two-run bases-loaded single that made it 3-1.
Things
began to unravel for Simmons in the seventh. After a lead-off
double by Johnny Coit, Jonathan Sakurai layed down a sacrifice
bunt that senior 3B Brian Steinmeyer threw away, allowing
Coit to score and sending Sakurai to third. Simmons then hit
Kasarjian before giving up a run-scoring single to Lemmon.
A wild pitch put runners on second and third with no outs
but Simmons settled down, retiring the next three batters
without any further damage.
UCR
rallied with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, all with
two outs. Senior RF Aaron Grant started the rally with a walk,
scoring on junior CF Brett Bigler's double to left center.
Steinmeyer followed with an RBI single through the right side,
advancing to second on the throw home. A walk and wild pitch
gave the Highlanders runners on second and third but that's
where the rally would die as sophomore C Jeff Dunbar struck
out swinging.
Things
went from bad to worse for the Highlanders in the eighth.
Trailing 5-3, sophomore RHP Adam Reifer came on in relief
of Simmons and promptly hit Wilson. A sacrifice bunt moved
Wilson to second and the Matadors got more than they bargained
for on the next play as Coit tried laying down another sacrifice
but Reifer threw it away, allowing both Wilson and Coit to
race around the bases to make it 7-3. Two
more runs would come across later in the inning despite only
two hits.
Sophomore
1B Aaron Wible hit a solo home run, his third of the season,
in the eighth to complete the scoring.
Simmons
(8-4) lasted seven innings, giving up five runs (four earned)
on nine hits. He struck out three, walked two, and hit three.
Chuckie
Fick gained the victory for Northridge to improve to 5-6.
He went 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and
three walks while striking out four. Jimmy Brettl pitched
the final seven outs to pick up his third save.
Bigler
went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored while Steinmeyer also
had two hits and one RBI.
(May
13, 2006) - UC Riverside scored three times in the seventh
inning to break a 5-5 tie and held on for an 8-5 victory over
Cal State Northridge in a Big West Conference game Saturday
afternoon at the Riverside Sports Complex. The Highlanders
rebounded from Friday’s loss to improve to 25-21, 6-8
BWC while the Matadors fall to 24-24, 5-9.
After
CSUN scored twice in the top of the seventh to tie the game
at five-all, UCR rallied off of Matador reliever Matt Gaylord
(1-1). Junior LF D.J. Hollingsworth led off with a double
to left, just beating out the throw to second. A sacrifice
bunt moved him over to third and junior 1B Kyle Barratt was
intentionally walked to set up a double play opportunity.
Senior C Jeff Abney then laid down a safety squeeze bunt and
Hollingsworth slid under the tag to give the Highlanders the
6-5 advantage. Three batters later, sophomore SS Jaime Pedroza
doubled to center, bringing home Abney and Barratt to make
it 8-5.
Sophomore
LHP Dan Runzler (3-3) gained the win, pitching 1 2/3 innings
of one-hit ball in relief of starter junior RHP Taylor Bills.
Bills went 6 1/3 innings, allowing five runs (four earned)
on eight hits. Junior RHP Daniel Stange closed out the game
to pick up his 11th save of the year.
Cal
State Northridge had taken a 2-0 lead in the first as Steve
Lemmon hit a triple off the top of the wall in left-center
to tally the game’s first run. He then came home on
James Scott’s single.
The
Highlanders bounced back with a run in the bottom of the frame
on an RBI double by Hollingsworth. After CSUN scored again
in the top of the second to go ahead 3-1, UCR took the lead
with a three-spot in its half of the second. Barratt opened
the inning with a single, one of his three hits on the day.
Abney followed with a single and both runners moved up on
a sacrifice bunt. Pedroza’s sacrifice fly plated Barratt
and senior RF Aaron Grant hit a single to left to tie the
game at three. A double steal by Grant and junior CF Brett
Bigler produced the third run of the inning as Lemmon threw
the ball away.
UCR’s
lead extended to 5-3 in the third. With one out, sophomore
DH Aaron Wible singled, moving to third on Barratt’s
double. Wible was thrown out at the plate on a grounder to
third, one of six close plays at the plate on the day. Another
followed as Barratt scored with two outs on a passed ball,
sneaking under the tag.
Bills
kept the Matadors in check until the seventh. A one-out single
put a runner at first and he moved to second on a wild pitch.
Pedroza then misplayed a grounder, putting runners on first
and third. Lemmon followed with a single that made it 5-4
and marked the end of Bills’ day. Runzler came on and
got the first out before surrendering the tying run on a single
to center by Jorge Andrade, Jr. Runzler got out of the inning
without any further harm to set up UCR’s seventh-inning
rally.
Barratt
finished the day a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, scoring three
times and adding an intentional walk. Grant also had three
hits, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Pedroza
drove in three for UCR while Hollingsworth had a 2-for-3 outing
with two walks and two doubles.
CSUN
used four pitchers, with starter Edwin Quirarte lasting just
1 2/3 innings, in which he allowed four runs (three earned)
on five hits. Jimmy Jolicoeur went 4 1/3 innings before Gaylord
came on. Gaylord was tagged for three runs on just one hit
and one walk in 1/3 of an inning. Lemmon had three hits and
two RBI for the visitors.
The
game featured three runners thrown out at the plate, two by
the Matadors, one by UCR. In addition to Wible in the third,
sophomore 2B Drew Garcia was caught at home in the sixth.
In the middle of those two plays was CSUN’s Jonathan
Sakurai, who was gunned down by Bigler trying to score from
second on a single to end the fifth.
(May
14, 2006) - Junior LF D.J. Hollingsworth hit a grand slam
and junior CF Brett Bigler also drove in four runs as UC Riverside
pounded Cal State Northridge 16-5 in a Big West Conference
game Sunday afternoon at the Riverside Sports Complex. The
Highlanders posted a season-high 16 runs and 21 hits to take
the series and improve to 26-21, 7-8 BWC while the Matadors
fall to 24-25, 5-10.
The
Highlander bats were as scorching as the heat on Mother’s
Day, jumping all over CSUN starter Craig Baker (6-8) with
five runs in the first two innings. Senior RF Aaron Grant
singled to open the first, then stole second and advanced
to third on a throwing error by catcher Steve Lemmon. Bigler
followed with an RBI groundout to make it 1-0. Senior 3B Brian
Steinmeyer and sophomore DH Aaron Wible each singled to put
runners on first and third, then executed a double steal,
with Steinmeyer sliding in safely under Lemmon’s tag.
CSUN
pulled a run back in the second but UCR continued to beat
up on Baker, pushing across three with two outs in the second.
Sophomore SS Jaime Pedroza got things started with a single,
moving to third on a double by Grant. A wild pitch by Baker
brought Pedroza home and Bigler’s double made it 4-1.
Baker then uncorked another wild pitch as Bigler raced all
the way home from second to score.
Northridge
would come back with two runs in the fifth but UCR again pulled
ahead in the bottom of the frame with three runs of its own.
A single by junior 1B Kyle Barratt, a walk, and a single to
right by Pedroza loaded the bases and Grant worked the count
to 3-2 before walking, forcing in a run. Bigler then bounced
a single through the right side to put UCR comfortably ahead,
8-3.
Although
the Matadors made it close again with single runs in the sixth
and seventh, UCR continued to torment CSUN pitchers, blowing
the game open with a seven-run seventh in which it sent 11
batters to the plate. Pedroza led off with a ground-rule double
to center off Jimmy Brettl and went to third on Grant’s
bunt single. Bigler was hit by a pitch to load the bases and
Steinmeyer brought home Pedroza with a single to right. That
brought up Hollingsworth, who took a 1-2 pitch from Brettl
and deposited over the rightfield fence for his team-leading
fifth homer of the season. It was UCR’s first grand
slam since Andrew Martinez hit one against Pacific on April
29, 2005
The
Highlanders were not done, putting runners on second and third
for Pedroza, who hit his second ground-rule double of the
inning, this time to left, to make it 15-5. Junior INF Nick
Salotti added a pinch-hit solo homer, his second of the year,
in the eighth to complete the scoring.
Senior
RHP Haley Winter (4-4) was the benefactor of the offensive
onslaught. Winter allowed five runs (four earned) on 11 hits
in seven innings before giving way to junior LHPs Marc Rzepczynski
and Pat Cassa to finish it off.
Baker
was tagged for eight runs on 13 hits in five innings while
Brettl gave up seven runs (five earned) on six hits in 1 1/3.
Bobby Paschal and Kyle Jean worked the final two innings.
Every
Highlander started collected at least one hit, led by Pedroza’s
first career four-hit game. He went 4-for-5 with two RBI and
three runs scored. Grant was 3-for-5 with three runs scored
at the top of the order while Steinmeyer and Hollingsworth
also added three hits apiece. Bigler had his second career
four-RBI game.
UCR’s
16 runs were the most this season and highest total since
a 16-2 win over UC Davis
on March 25, 2005. The 21 hits were also a season high as
the Highlanders reached the 20-hit plateau for the first time
since banging out 20 on May 25, 2005 vs. UC Santa Barbara
(RIVERSIDE, CA) –
UC Riverside junior D.J. Hollingworth was selected the Big
West Conference Player of the Week for the week of May 8-14,
it was announced Monday by the conference office. This is
Hollingsworth’s first-ever player of the week award
and he is the second Highlander field player to earn the honor
this season, following Brett Bigler’s selection for
April 17-23.
Hollingsworth, a 5-9 leftfielder
from Tracy, went .429 at the plate in UCR’s four games,
reaching base in all four contests. He was 6-for-14 with five
RBI as the Highlanders went 3-1 with a victory over #20 Pepperdine
University and a weekend series win over Cal State Northridge.
On Tuesday at Pepperdine, Hollingsworth scored the tying run
in the seventh, one of two runs he scored on the day, as UCR
went on to a 5-3 win. He finished that game 1-for-3 with two
walks, two runs scored, and a stolen base in UCR’s third
win this season over a ranked opponent. After an 0-for-3 day
in Friday’s 9-4 loss to Northridge in which he walked,
Hollingsworth stepped up in the weekend’s final two
games. He went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two walks, an RBI,
and a run scored on Saturday as UCR leveled the series against
the Matadors with an 8-5 win. Hollingsworth capped the weekend
on Sunday with a 3-for-5 effort, including a seventh-inning
grand slam that blew the game open. He finished with four
RBI and a stolen base in UCR’s 16-5 victory.
For the year, Hollingsworth is leading UCR with five home
runs, 34 RBI, and a .529 slugging percentage. He is hitting
.338 and has 13 doubles, third and second on the team. In
Big West play, Hollingsworth’s numbers are even better
as he is hitting .391 with six doubles, three home runs, and
16 RBI while slugging .717.
Hollingsworth is the third Highlander to be honored by the
conference office this year, joining Bigler and sophomore
RHP James Simmons, who was named the Big West Conference Pitcher
of the Week for January 30-February 5.
UCR (26-21, 7-8 Big West) closes out a seven-game home stand
when it plays San Diego on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and then hosts
Long Beach State in a three-game series beginning Friday at
7 p.m.
(May
16, 2006) - UC Riverside scored four times in the bottom of
the ninth to tie, then won on sophomore SS Jaime Pedroza's
two-out bases loaded single in the 11th to rally past visiting
University of San Diego 9-8 Tuesday night at the Riverside
Sports Complex. The Highlanders win their third consecutive
game and sweep the season series over the Toreros to improve
to 27-21 while ending USD's regular season at 32-23.
Trailing
8-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth, UCR staged a momentous
comeback to send the game into extras. Pedroza started the
inning with an epic at-bat, fouling off eight pitches from
USD pitcher Josh Butler before doubling to center on Butler's
13th pitch of the at-bat. Senior RF Andy Clay followed with
a single, sending Pedroza to third and junior CF Brett Bigler
drove in Pedroza with a sacrifice fly for the first out. Back-to-back
singles by senior 3B Brian Steinmeyer and junior LF D.J. Hollingsworth
brought Clay home but junior INF Kyle Barratt struck out to
reduce UCR to its final out. The Highlanders would not succumb,
however, as junior INF Nick Salotti singled the first pitch
to right to plate Steinmeyer and make it 8-7. Sophomore 2B
Drew Garcia then tied the game with a 3-2 chopper up the middle
that brought home Hollingsworth. With a runner at third, UCR
then had a chance to end the game in regulation but senior
C Jeff Abney struck out swinging.
The
Highlanders also had the opportunity to end things in the
10th when Pedroza led off with a double to left. After a strikeout
and intentional walk, Steinmeyer hit a shot up the middle.
But USD shortstop Steve Singleton ranged over to scoop and
flip to 2B Keoni Ruth, who bare-handed the ball and fired
to first to complete an inning-ending double play.
With
one out in the bottom of the 11th, Barratt singled to right
off Scott DeNault (1-1). Ricardo Pecina replaced DeNault to
face freshman DH Carl Uhl, who laid down a sacrifice bunt
but Pecina threw it away, moving runners to second and third.
After an intentional walk to pinch-hitting sophomore Jeff
Dunbar, Russell Holzhauser became the third Torero pitcher
of the inning. He struck out senior C Jeff Abney swinging
for out number two, then went to a 3-2 count on Pedroza. The
batter won the battle on the next pitch, pulling the ball
through the right side to bring home Barratt with the winning
run.
Junior
RHP Daniel Stange (2-2) picked up the win, throwing 3 1/3
innings and allowing one run on one hit. After serving up
a solo home run to Singleton on his very first pitch of the
game, Stange settled down to strike out six Toreros.
USD starter Josh Romanski took a no-hitter into the fifth
inning before it was finally broken up by Abney's two-out
double to left. The Highlanders then took the lead with a
four-run sixth. Senior RF Aaron Grant led off with a double,
coming home on Bigler's single up the middle. Steinmeyer followed
with a single and both runners advanced on a passed ball.
Brian Matusz replaced Romanski, only to give up a two-run
single to Barratt that tied the game at 3-all. After a single
and a sacrifice fly moved Barratt to third, Abney surprised
everyone by pushing a two-out bunt single past the mound to
give UCR a 4-3 lead.
The
advantage would only last until the eighth, however. Ryan
Lilly was hit by sophomore LHP Dan Runzler to open the inning.
Junior LHP Pat Cassa came on for Runzler and walked Romanski.
Steve Buschini then drove a three-run homer over the rightfield
fence to give USD a 6-4 lead. Cassa struck out the next two
batters before walking Justin Snyder, bringing on Stange,
whose very first pitch to Singleton was belted for a two-run
homer and an 8-4 Torero lead.
USD
used eight pitchers in the evening, with starter Romanski
going 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits.
UCR
junior LHP Marc Rzepczynski got the start, lasting five innings
and giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits and three
walks while striking out four.
Pedroza
and Steinmeyer each collected three hits on the day while
Hollingsworth, Barratt, Salotti, and Abney all had two apiece.
Both Barratt and Bigler drove in two runs.
(May 17, 2006) –
UC Riverside senior Brian Steinmeyer was selected to the ESPN
The Magazine Academic All-District 8 First Team, it was
announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America
(CoSIDA). This is Steinmeyer’s first selection to the
Academic All-District team and he becomes the first Highlander
baseball player to earn the honor since A.J. Shappi in 2004.
Steinmeyer, a 6-2 third
baseman from Corona, carries a cumulative 3.63 grade point
average while majoring in Business Administration. He has
appeared on the Dean’s List eight times in his academic
career and was selected as UCR’s Male Scholar Athlete
at the Big West Conference banquet in March.
On the field, Steinmeyer
is hitting a career-high .319 in 2006 in helping the Highlanders
to a 27-21 record. He is a career .291 hitter and is tied
for fifth all-time in appearances in school history, having
played in 186 games.
Steinmeyer was one of 11
players to earn All-District 8 honors and one of three representatives
from the Big West Conference. By virtue of his selection to
the All-District team, Steinmeyer is automatically entered
into the national pool for Academic All-American standing.
UCR closes out its regular
season home schedule this weekend in a three-game series against
Long Beach State beginning Friday at 7 p.m.
(May
19, 2006) - Junior RHP Taylor Bills threw his second complete
game of the season and junior CF Brett Bigler drove in three
runs as UC Riverside defeated Long Beach State 7-1 in Friday's
opener of a Big West Conference series at the Riverside Sports
Complex. The Highlanders win their fourth consecutive game
to improve to 28-21, 8-8 BWC while the 49ers fall to 27-24,
10-6.
Making
his first Friday start of the season due to sophomore RHP
James Simmons' illness, Bills allowed an RBI single to Evan
Longoria in the top of the first inning. He locked himself
in after that, striking out a season-high seven batters for
his fifth career complete game. The 49ers twice put runners
on second and third but Bills got out of each jam.
LBSU
pitcher Andrew Carpenter (7-3) held UCR in check for the first
four innings, as following a leadoff walk, he retired 11 in
a row before his no-hitter was broken up in the fourth with
an infield single. UCR would get to Carpenter in the fifth,
giving Bills all the run support he would need by pushing
across four runs. With one out, sophomore 2B Drew Garcia singled
up the middle and sophomore SS Jaime Pedroza followed with
a single to right. Senior RF Aaron Grant loaded the bases
with a single of his own, bringing up Bigler, who chopped
the first pitch he saw down the rightfield line for a two-run
double. A fielding error off the bat of senior 3B Brian Steinmeyer
brought home the third run and junior LF D.J. Hollingsworth
hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Bigler and make it 4-1.
The
Highlanders tacked on two more runs in the seventh off Carpenter.
With two outs, Steinmeyer walked and moved to second on Hollingsworth's
single to the pitcher. Junior 1B Kyle Barratt took Carpenter's
next offering and drove it to left for a single that brought
home Steinmeyer. Two pitches later, junior DH Nick Salotti
sent a single to right, plating Hollingsworth.
Bigler
completed the scoring in the eighth, hitting an RBI single
up the middle to finish off his team-leading 10th multi-RBI
game of the season. Bigler went 2-for-5 with a run scored
and stole his 24th base of the season, leaving him one shy
of UCR's Division I single-season record.
Pedroza,
Hollingsworth, and Barratt all went 2-for-4 as the Highlanders
banged out 11 hits. UCR's 2-6 hitters accounted for all of
the team's RBI as Steinmeyer, Hollingsworth, Barratt, and
Salotti each drove in one apiece.
Carpenter,
also making his first Friday start of the season, gave took
his first loss since March 25, giving up six runs (five earned)
on nine hits over seven innings. He struck out eight. Matt
Cline collected three of Long Beach's six hits.
The
victory snapped UCR's five-game losing streak to the 49ers
and was just the Highlanders' third win over LBSU since 2001.
(May
20, 2006) - Long Beach State took advantage of four UC Riverside
errors that led to seven unearned runs to win 11-9 in 12 innings
Saturday afternoon at the Riverside Sports Complex. The Highlanders
see their four-game winning streak come to an end and fall
to 28-22, 8-9 BWC while the 49ers improve to 28-24, 11-6.
For the second time in three
games, UCR found itself playing in extra innings. The Highlanders
had the opportunity to strike first in the bonus frames, as
junior CF Brett Bigler led off the 10th with a single. Bigler
then stole second to not only put himself in scoring position
but also to tie Brian Wahlbrink's 2003 UCR Division I single
season record with his 25th stolen base of the year. After
a groundout pushed Bigler to third, junior LF D.J. Hollingsworth
was intentionally walked. That brought junior DH Nick Salotti
to the plate. Salotti already had three hits and two RBI on
the day and watched as Brett Andrade threw him three straight
balls. Andrade then came back with two quick strikes before
getting Salotti to chase a pitch for out number two. On the
play, Hollingsworth stole second for his 24th steal of the
year. With two outs, junior 1B Kyle Barratt
had a chance to win it and drove Andrade's second pitch deep
to left but it hooked foul for a long strike. Barratt would
eventually strike out on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.
LBSU took its third lead
of the game in the 12th, thanks to some shaky UCR defense.
UCR junior RHP Daniel Stange was in his third inning of relief
work and gave up a single to Danny Espinosa on the first pitch
of the inning. Espinosa advanced to second on a passed ball
and Stange walked Tom Wolf. Sean Boatright followed with a
single to load the bases. Stange came back to strike out Scott
Bradley for the first out of the inning, then induced Jordan
Struble to hit a chopper back to the mound. Stange knocked
it down but rushed his throw home, sending the ball to the
backstop for the Highlanders' fourth error of the game. Two
runs came home on the play and a third was added on a sacrifice
fly by Robert Perry that made it 11-8.
UCR did not go down without
a fight, as the first two batters of the 12th walked against
Andrade. On came Andrew Liebel, who jammed senior 3B Brian
Steinmeyer into a double play. Hollingsworth pulled a run
back with an RBI single that brought up Salotti for the tying
run but Salotti grounded into a fielder's choice to end the
game.
The Highlanders were victims
of their own doing all day long, leaving 14 runners on base,
including 12 in scoring position. UCR had rallied from deficits
of 1-0, 6-4, and 8-6, the last coming by scoring single runs
in the seventh and eighth.
Andrade (1-2) went three
innings to pick up the win. The fifth of six 49er pitchers
used, Andrade allowed one run on one hit, walking four and
striking out three. Liebel picked up his first save by getting
the final three outs.
Stange fell to 2-3, giving
up three unearned runs on three hits. He struck out three
and walked one. Senior RHP Haley Winter started the final
home game of his illustrious career, lasting six innings and
surrendering eight runs (four earned) on ten hits.
Hollingsworth had his second
four-hit game of the season, finishing 4-for-5 with two RBI
and two runs scored. Salotti was 3-for-6 with two RBI while
sophomore SS Jaime Pedroza went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI.
Boatright was 4-for-6 for
the 49ers. Evan Longoria was 2-for-6 with a home run and two
RBI while Struble finished 2-for-5 with three RBI and a home
run after entering the game in the fifth as a pinch-hitter.
The Highlanders fall to
2-4 on the season in extra-inning games.
(May
21, 2006) - Long Beach State spoiled Senior Day at UC Riverside,
beating the Highlanders 5-2 behind Jared Hughes' complete
game Sunday afternoon at the Riverside Sports Complex. UCR
drops to 28-23, 8-10 BWC while the 49ers improve to 29-24,
12-6.
Hughes (8-3) opened the
game by striking out the side in the first and didn't slow
down, registering a career-high and UCR season opponent-high
13 strikeouts in his first complete game. Hughes retired the
first nine batters he faced, six via strikeout. He allowed
two runs on six hits.
Trailing 1-0 after Robert
Perry's solo homer in the third, UCR finally got to Hughes
in the fourth as senior RF Aaron Grant and junior CF Brett
Bigler hit back-to-back singles to open the inning. A wild
pitch moved them to third with no outs. But Hughes struck
out senior 3B Brian Steinmeyer swinging, then went 3-2 on
junior LF D.J. Hollingsworth. LBSU catcher Jordan Struble
stood up, signaling for an intentional fourth ball but at
the last minute crouched back down as Hughes fired strike
three down the middle. Junior 1B Kyle Barratt then went down
swinging to end the threat.
The 49ers padded their lead
in the fifth as errors continued to plague UCR. With one out
and a runner on, senior C Jeff Abney tried to pick the runner
off of first but threw wide, moving the runner into scoring
position. Perry later added a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.
UCR struck back in the fifth
with two outs. Sophomore 2B Drew Garcia and sophomore SS Jaime
Pedroza hit back-to-back doubles for the first Highlander
run of the afternoon. Evan Longoria then led off the Long
Beach sixth with a solo home run to restore the two-run cushion.
Yet again, the Highlanders
would pull within one as Grant's double in the seventh brought
home Pedroza to make it 3-2. The comeback would falter, however,
as UCR's bullpen gave up single runs in both the eighth and
ninth innings.
Sophomore RHP James Simmons
(8-5) suffered his second consecutive defeat, allowing three
runs (two earned) on eight hits in seven innings. He walked
one and struck out four.
Garcia and Grant each had
two hits for UCR while Grant and Pedroza had the only runs
batted in.
Prior to the game, UC Riverside
honored its six seniors in their final home game of the season.
(May
26, 2006) - UC Irvine junior Justin Cassel hurled a five-hit
shutout to lead the Anteaters to a 5-0 win over UC Riverside
Friday at Anteater Ballpark. The shutout was lifted the Anteaters
to 35-21 overall and 10-9 in the Big West while the Highlanders
dropped to 28-24 overall and 8-11 in conference play.
Cassel, who improved to 7-8, faced the minimum through 7.2
innings before senior 3B Brian Steinmeyer singled and advanced
to second on an error by Taylor Holiday. Junior LF D.J. Hollingsworth
drew a walk before junior 1B Kyle Barratt would pop up to
catcher Aaron Lowenstein to end the inning. Cassel struck
out four and walked two in his fourth complete game of the
season.
UC
Irvine scored four runs in the third, all with two outs. Danny
McCarthy was hit by the pitch and Holiday pushed McCarthy
to second on a single up the middle. After Ben Orloff’s sacrifice
bunt moved the runners over, second baseman Cody Cipriano
delivered a 1-0 pitch up the middle to score both runs. Jaime
Martinez singled and designated hitter Zach Robinson followed
with a double to right-center to give UCI a 4-0 lead.
The
Anteaters added a run in the sixth on Holiday’s single to
score outfielder Matt Morris, who led off the inning with
a single.
Cipriano
went 3 for 4 while Robinson, Morris and Holiday each had two
hits.
Steinmeyer
was the only Highlander to collect multiple hits, going 2-for-4.
Junior CF Brett Bigler was 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak
to eight games.
UCR
junior RHP Taylor Bills (5-5) threw his second consecutive
complete game and his third of the season, giving up five
runs on 10 hits in eight innings.
(May
27, 2006) - Jaime Martinez hit a two-run walk-off homer in
the bottom of the 10th inning Saturday night to lift UC Irvine
to a 5-4 win over UC Riverside at Anteater Ballpark. The Anteaters
claim the series and move to 36-21 overall and 11-9 in the
Big West while the Highlanders drop their fourth straight
to fall to 28-25 overall and 8-12 in conference play.
UCR led 3-1 entering the
bottom of the ninth but could not hold the lead, as Matt Morris
hit a two-run home run off of UCR senior starter Haley Winter
to tie the game. Junior RHP Daniel Stange replaced Winter
and got the final three outs despite allowing the potential
winning run to reach second. The Highlanders regained the
lead in the 10th, loading the bases with two outs before junior
CF Brett Bigler hit an RBI single through the left side. The
inning ended when sophomore SS Jaime Pedroza was thrown out
at home plate while trying to score from second.
UCI would not go quietly,
however, as Cody Cipriano led off the 10th with a double,
one of his four hits on the day. Martinez followed with his
eighth homer of the year, a two-run shot to left on a 1-1
pitch.
After
being shut out on just five hits in Friday's opener, UCR was
held without a run Saturday until the seventh inning. Fortunately,
Winter held the Anteaters scoreless as well, with the teams
matching zeroes through six full innings. The Highlanders
broke the deadlock in the seventh as sophomore 1B Aaron Wible
led off with a double. Sophomore C Jeff Dunbar then laid down
a sacrifice bunt but it was thrown away by UCI pitcher Glenn
Swanson, allowing Wible to score and sending Dunbar to second.
Two batters later, senior RF Aaron Grant singled home Dunbar
to make it 2-0. Dunbar added an RBI single in the eighth as
UCR pushed its advantage to 3-0.
The Anteaters began their
fight back in the bottom of the eighth, with Cipriano delivering
an infield single that made it 3-1.
Making his school-record
75th and final appearance in the UCR uniform, Winter went
eight strong innings, allowing three runs on nine hits and
striking out a season-high nine. Stange fell to 2-4, allowing
two runs on two hits in one-plus innings.
Blair Erickson improved
to 5-0 with two innings of relief work. He allowed one run
on three hits. Swanson had lasted seven innings, surrendering
three runs (two earned) on eight hits before giving way to
Kyle Necke for one inning.
Grant finished 3-for-6 for
UCR while Bigler and Pedroza each collected two hits.
Cipriano went 4-for-5 with
an RBI. Martinez and Morris had two hits and two RBI apiece.
The
two teams conclude the series and the regular season on Sunday
at 1:00 p.m.
(May
28, 2006) - UC Riverside jumped out to an 8-2 lead and withstood
a late rally to win 8-6 at UC Irvine Sunday afternoon in the
regular season finale for both teams at Anteater Ballpark.
The Highlanders snap a four-game losing streak to finish out
at 29-25, 9-12 in the Big West Conference, while the Anteaters
fall to 36-22 overall and 11-10.
UCR started strong, scoring
three runs in the top of the first off UCI starter Scott Gorgen
(7-4). Junior CF Brett Bigler reached first on a fielder’s
choice and stole second, breaking the school's Division I
single season record for stolen bases with his 26th. Bigler
then scored on senior 3B Brian Steinmeyer’s single and Steinmeyer,
in turn, crossed the plate on junior LF D.J. Hollingsworth’s
double to right field.
The Highlanders continued
the scoring with three runs in the fifth on an RBI double
from Steinmeyer and a pair of run-scoring singles from sophomore
1B Aaron Wible and senior DH Andrew Clay. Wible added an RBI
single in the seventh and another in the eighth when senior
C Jeff Abney tripled and came home on sophomore 2B Drew Garcia's
sacrifice fly.
Wible finished 3-for-5 with
three RBI while Steinmeyer went 2-for-5 with two RBI and three
runs scored in his final appearance in the UCR uniform. Hollingsworth
also had two hits as seven of UCR's nine starters collected
at least one hit each.
UCI second baseman Cody
Cipriano answered with a solo home run in the first and designated
hitter Zach Robinson scored on an error in the seventh after
doubling to right to lead off the frame. In the Anteater ninth,
Jaime Martinez doubled to right to lead off the inning. Matt
Morris was hit by the pitch and third baseman Tim Wojcik drew
a full-count walk to load the bases with one out. Pinch hitter
Josh Tavelli tripled to left center and would later score
on catcher Aaron Lowenstein’s sacrifice fly.
Gorgen pitched 4 2/3 innings,
giving up six runs on eight hits while reliever Gary Nakashima
allowed two runs on three hits in 3 1/3 innings. Travis Rhymes
struck out one in a scoreless inning of relief.
UCR starting pitcher sophomore
RHP James Simmons had his longest outing of the season, tossing
8 1/3 innings, holding UCI to six hits while striking out
seven and giving up just three runs. Simmons improved to 9-5,
posting the most victories in a season by a Highlander hurler
since John Martinez won nine in 2004. He also finished the
year with 94 strikeouts, the most since Chris Smith had 127
in 2002. Senior LHP Matt Millett closed out his career with
2/3 innings of work.
(May
30, 2006) - Four UC Riverside baseball players were placed
on the 2006 All-Big West Conference teams, it was announced
Tuesday by the conference office. Junior outfielders Brett
Bigler and D.J. Hollingsworth were selected to the First Team,
sophomore RHP James Simmons was named to the Second Team,
and junior RHP Daniel Stange received honorable mention status.
“I
am pleased that these four players have been recognized for
their outstanding accomplishments this season,” UCR
Head Coach Doug Smith said.
A
6-3 centerfielder from Santa Ana, Bigler earns his third all-conference
award after being named honorable mention in 2004 and gaining
Second Team honors last year. In
2006, he led UCR with a .356 batting average (fourth in the
Big West), 73 hits (fifth in the conference), four triples
(tied for first), 45 runs scored (tied for sixth), a .456
on-base percentage (fourth), 36 walks (tied for third), and
a UCR Division I school-record 27 stolen bases to lead the
conference. He also set a new career-high with 35 runs batted
in and a .449 slugging percentage. During conference play,
Bigler hit .439 with 16 RBI, a slugging percentage of .610,
and an on-base percentage of .529. He also stood out in the
field, committing just one error in 128 chances. Bigler was
named Big West Player of the Week for April 17-23.
Hollingsworth,
a 5-9 leftfielder from Tracy, had an outstanding rookie season
with the Highlanders after transferring from Chabot College.
Hollingsworth hit .351 while leading UCR with five home runs,
39 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .524. He also stole 24
bases, tying for second in the Big West. In total, Hollingsworth
appeared on 10 of the Big West’s top-10 offensive categories.
During conference play, he hit .406 with three home runs and
20 RBI. In addition, Hollingsworth was named Big West Player
of the Week for May 8-14.
The
ace of UCR’s pitching staff, Simmons gains his first
Big West honor. A 6-3 starter from Norco, Simmons went 9-5
on the year with a 2.96 earned run average, tying him for
fourth in wins and ninth in ERA in the Big West, respectively.
He struck out 94 hitters in 109.1 innings, including three
outings of 10 strikeouts. Simmons’ nine victories this
year are the most by a Highlander pitcher since John Martinez
in 2004, while his 94 strikeouts are the eighth-highest all-time
and the most since Chris Smith’s school-record 127 in
2002. He was also named Big West Pitcher of the Week for January
30-February 5.
Stange,
a 6-3 righthander from Wildomar, had a break-out season as
UCR’s closer. He set the school’s Division I record
with 11 saves, the third-most in one year in the program’s
history and third in the Big West this season. He also went
2-4 with a 3.73 ERA, striking out 31 batters in 31.1 innings.
UCR
went 29-25 in Smith’s second year at the helm, topping
last season’s win total by a single victory. In conference
play, the Highlanders went 9-12, finishing in a three-way
tie for fifth.
(June
6, 2006) - UC Riverside junior baseball players Brett Bigler,
Daniel Stange, and D.J. Hollingsworth along with redshirt
sophomore Dan Runzler were all selected on the opening day
of the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft
Tuesday. Bigler and Stange were both seventh-round selections,
drafted by the Kansas City Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks,
respectively. Hollingsworth went in the 14th round to the
New York Yankees while Runzler was picked in the 17th round
by the Seattle Mariners.
A
6-3 centerfielder, Bigler (Santa Ana, CA/Foothill HS) was
a First Team All-Big West Conference player in 2005, leading
the Highlanders in batting average, hits (73), triples, walks
(36), stolen bases, and on-base percentage (.456). Bigler
posted career-highs in hitting (.356), triples (four), and
stolen bases His 27 steals led the Big West and set a new
UCR Division I single-season record. He also showed his defensive
skills, committing just one error over the past two seasons
for a .985 fielding percentage.
In
his first season as UCR’s closer, Stange (Wildomar,
CA/Elsinore HS) broke the Highlanders’ Division I single-season
record for saves with 11, the third-best one-year total in
the program’s history and third in the Big West this
year. The 6-3 Stange posted a 2-4 record with a 3.73 earned
run average, striking out 31 batters in 31.1 innings and earning
Honorable Mention All-Big West honors. He had previously been
drafted out of high school
in 2003 in the 33rd round by the Atlanta Braves.
Hollingsworth
(Tracy, CA/Chabot College), a 5-9 leftfielder, had an outstanding
rookie season with the Highlanders, garnering First Team All-Big
West honors. Hollingsworth hit .351 while leading UCR with
five home runs, 39 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .524.
He also stole 24 bases, tying for second in the Big West.
In total, Hollingsworth appeared on ten of the Big West’s
top-10 offensive categories and hit .406 with three home runs
and 20 RBI during conference play.
Runzler
(Simi Valley, CA/Chaminade HS), a 6-4 redshirt sophomore,
was UCR’s top lefthanded reliever. He went 3-3 with
a 4.14 ERA in a team-high 28 appearances. Runzler struck out
52 hitters in 41.1 innings and opponents hit just .217 off
of him.
Bigler
(197th overall pick) and Stange (207th) are the highest UCR
players drafted since Randy Blood was taken in the sixth round
by Colorado in the 2003 draft. Hollingsworth was the 433rd
overall player chosen and Runzler was 501st.
The
four UCR players were among 24 players drafted from the Big
West Conference. Champions Cal State Fullerton led the way
with six players drafted, followed by Cal Poly with five.
(June
7, 2006) - UC Riverside redshirt sophomore Jeff Dunbar and
senior Haley Winter were selected on day two of the 2006 Major
League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Wednesday. Dunbar
was taken by the Chicago White Sox in the 19th round (585th
overall) while Winter was drafted in the 40th round (1191st
overall) by the Seattle Mariners. The Highlanders completed
this season’s draft having had six players chosen.
A
6-4 catcher, Dunbar (Chino Hills, CA/Ayala HS) hit .293 for
the Highlanders in 2006. He was UCR’s main catcher,
appearing in 40 games and making 37 starts - 33 at catcher,
three as the designated hitter, and one game at first base.
Dunbar had six doubles, one triple, one home run and 27 runs
batted in while posting a fielding percentage of .996. He
also threw out 21 potential base stealers.
Dunbar
started the season on a hot streak, collecting multiple hits
in six of his first seven starts this year, including his
first career four-hit and four-RBI game against USC on February
7. Dunbar also drove in a career-high four runs against the
Trojans. Starting with the second at-bat in his 4-for-5 outing
vs. USC, Dunbar reached safely in 11-straight plate appearances,
collecting nine hits, walking once, and getting hit by a pitch.
Winter
(Oakland, CA/Miramonte HS), a 5-9 righthanded pitcher, is
UCR’s all-time leader in appearances with 77. In 2006,
he went 4-4 with a 5.42 earned run average. He finishes his
career on 11 UCR career record lists, including strikeouts
(sixth with 214), games started (seventh with 42), and innings
pitched (seventh with 299 2/3). Winter is the second Highlander
pitcher to be drafted by the Mariners this year, joining redshirt
sophomore Dan Runzler, who was taken by Seattle in the 17th
round.
Dunbar
and Winter join juniors Brett Bigler (197th overall pick),
Daniel Stange (207th), and D.J. Hollingsworth (433rd) and
Runzler (501st), who were all picked on day one of the draft.
2005-06
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