Saturday, May 18
2:00 PM
UC Riverside
4
at
5
Long Beach State
Photo by: UCR Athletics Media Relations
UC Riverside Baseball Scores Three In Ninth, But Falls 5-4 To Long Beach State
5/18/2013 5:33:00 PM | Baseball
Long Beach, CA—The UC Riverside Baseball Team scored three runs in the top of the ninth, and had the tying and go-ahead runs on base, but it wasn't enough as Long Beach State held on for the 5-4 victory Saturday afternoon (box score).
The Highlanders (12-30, 8-15) had opportunities early, putting a runner in scoring position in each of the first three innings, but they were unable to dent the scoreboard.
Meanwhile, the Dirtbags (27-25, 13-10) scored five runs in their first four frames, all off of UCR starter Ben Doucette (2-7). The left-hander gave up six base hits, a walk, a hit batsman, and a wild pitch during that time, while the UC Riverside defense committed two errors that led to a pair of unearned runs.
The Highlanders finally pushed a run across in the top of the fifth, but they could have scored more. Francisco Tellez was hit by a pitch on the hand to open the inning, and was replaced on the basepaths by Matt Ellis. Nick Vilter then singled to left, and one batter later, Joe Chavez singled to score Ellis.
That ended Dirtbags starter Jake Stassi's day as Ty Provencher got the call out of the bullpen. The right-hander began his 21st relief appearance inauspiciously as he plunked Devyn Bolasky to load the bases, but he then got Clayton Prestridge to hit into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.
Provencher retired the Highlanders in order in the sixth and seventh, but UCR mounted another rally in the top of the eighth. Bolasky laced a one-out single to left, and Prestridge did likewise to right putting runners on the corners.
But the Highlanders ran themsevles out of the inning as Prestridge was thrown out trying to steal second, and Bolasky was thrown out at the plate trying to score on the play.
Doucette's day ended after the sixth inning, and Antonio Gonzales entered the game allowing just two hits over his two innings of work to keep the Dirtbags in check.
The Highlanders had one final scoring opportunity in the top of the ninth. Phil Holinsworth drew a one-out walk, and pinch-hitter Robby Witt doubled to left to put runners on second and third. Reliever Jon Macial struck out Kyle Boudreau for out number two, but walked pinch-hitter Alex Rubanowitz to load the bases.
That brought Cody Hough to the plate, and the junior worked a full count before looking at ball four, bringing Holinsworth home with UC Riverside's second run of the game. Chavez followed by ripping a single through the left side that scored Witt and Rubanowitz closing the deficit to one, 5-4.
Bolasky set himself in the batter's box looking to extend the inning, but his grounder to short was fielded cleanly by Jonathan Serven, who forced Hough at third to end the game.
The Highlanders and Dirtbags finish their three-game Big West Conference series on Sunday beginning at 1 pm PT
The Highlanders (12-30, 8-15) had opportunities early, putting a runner in scoring position in each of the first three innings, but they were unable to dent the scoreboard.
Meanwhile, the Dirtbags (27-25, 13-10) scored five runs in their first four frames, all off of UCR starter Ben Doucette (2-7). The left-hander gave up six base hits, a walk, a hit batsman, and a wild pitch during that time, while the UC Riverside defense committed two errors that led to a pair of unearned runs.
The Highlanders finally pushed a run across in the top of the fifth, but they could have scored more. Francisco Tellez was hit by a pitch on the hand to open the inning, and was replaced on the basepaths by Matt Ellis. Nick Vilter then singled to left, and one batter later, Joe Chavez singled to score Ellis.
That ended Dirtbags starter Jake Stassi's day as Ty Provencher got the call out of the bullpen. The right-hander began his 21st relief appearance inauspiciously as he plunked Devyn Bolasky to load the bases, but he then got Clayton Prestridge to hit into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.
Provencher retired the Highlanders in order in the sixth and seventh, but UCR mounted another rally in the top of the eighth. Bolasky laced a one-out single to left, and Prestridge did likewise to right putting runners on the corners.
But the Highlanders ran themsevles out of the inning as Prestridge was thrown out trying to steal second, and Bolasky was thrown out at the plate trying to score on the play.
Doucette's day ended after the sixth inning, and Antonio Gonzales entered the game allowing just two hits over his two innings of work to keep the Dirtbags in check.
The Highlanders had one final scoring opportunity in the top of the ninth. Phil Holinsworth drew a one-out walk, and pinch-hitter Robby Witt doubled to left to put runners on second and third. Reliever Jon Macial struck out Kyle Boudreau for out number two, but walked pinch-hitter Alex Rubanowitz to load the bases.
That brought Cody Hough to the plate, and the junior worked a full count before looking at ball four, bringing Holinsworth home with UC Riverside's second run of the game. Chavez followed by ripping a single through the left side that scored Witt and Rubanowitz closing the deficit to one, 5-4.
Bolasky set himself in the batter's box looking to extend the inning, but his grounder to short was fielded cleanly by Jonathan Serven, who forced Hough at third to end the game.
The Highlanders and Dirtbags finish their three-game Big West Conference series on Sunday beginning at 1 pm PT
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