Broncos Drop Series Finale 9-7 Against Sonoma State

Recap, photo courtesy of CAL State Poly Ponoma

POMONA – The Cal Poly Pomona baseball team finished with a series split against Sonoma State, falling short of a comeback in a 9-7 loss on Saturday afternoon at Scolinos Field.
 
 
THE BASICS:
Final: Sonoma State 9, Cal Poly Pomona 7
Records: SSU (16-14, 12-12 CCAA), CPP (17-13, 14-10 CCAA)
Location: Scolinos Field I Pomona, CA
 
 
GAME ONE:
GAME SUMMARY:

• The Broncos jumped out ahead early in the final game of the series, as Drew Cowley singled to score Cesar Lopez before a two-RBI single up the middle by Nick Peifer gave CPP a 3-0 advantage.
• The lead was short lived for the Broncos as Sonoma State stormed back in the top of the second inning scoring five total runs. With the bases loaded, the Seawolves hit a bases clearing double through the left side of the field to tie the game. SSU continued their hitting streak with another double and single to take a 5-3 lead.
• Sonoma added to their lead in the fourth inning, hitting a sacrifice fly before a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch drove in another run for the visitors.
• SSU's lead grew to 8-3 after an RBI-single in the fifth inning.
• The Broncos got one run back in the bottom of the fifth as Nic Hernandez hit a solo home run to right field, his second straight day with a homer.
• CPP added another run in the sixth as Bryce Etchandy came around to score from second base after a fielding error by Sonoma.
• Etchandy gave the Broncos hope in the seventh inning, connecting for a two-RBI double to center field to come within one run of the tie.
• Sonoma State added an insurance run in the top of the eighth, hitting an RBI single to take a 9-7 lead into the final inning.
• In the bottom of the ninth, the Broncos managed bases loaded with two outs after Sonoma gave up two walks while hitting a batter but couldn't drive in the runs, ending the game on a flyout.

 
KEY PERFORMERS:

• Michael Gomez took the loss for CPP, giving up five runs off of five hits while totaling four strikeouts through three innings of work.
• Tim Holdgrafer threw three innings in relief with three runs off of four hits while Anthony Mizrahi allowed one hit and one run through one 1/3 innings and Peter Beattie gave up two hits in one 2/3 innings.
• Peifer and Etchandy each finished with two RBIs while Hernandez led the Broncos with two hits on the day.

 
COMING UP NEXT:
The Broncos will venture north next weekend as they prepare for a four-game road series against Cal State East Bay beginning on Friday, April 6.