April 25, 2008
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF. - Ryan Lee's game-winning RBI bunt single in the bottom of the ninth propelled Cal Poly (18-20, 6-7) to a 3-2 comeback win over UC Santa Barbara (27-13, 6-4) Friday night at Baggett Stadium. Starters Mike Ford (5-3) and Eric Massingham (4-4) were locked in a pitchers duel throughout, as each pitcher lasted 8.1 innings. Unfortunately, Ford's 8.1 inning, three-run effort wasn't enough as the Mustangs broke a 2-2 tie in the final frame.
UCSB scored first, plating a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Catcher Chris McMurray led off the inning with a bunt single to third base. Steve Cook followed with a single of his own, putting runners on first and second for Brian Gump. Gump laced an RBI single to right field, to give the Gauchos a 1-0 lead. Center fielder Chris Fox followed suit taking a 0-1 offering from Mustang starter Eric Massingham and lining it up the middle for the second UCSB run of the game.
Cal Poly countered in the bottom of the seventh as Wes Dorrell doubled down the right field line to start things off. Adam Melker drew a one-out walk, to put runners on the corners. With two-out and two runners on, shortstop Kyle Smith doubled into the right center field gap, scoring Dorrell and Adam Melker. After seven, the score was tied, 2-2.
After pitching a scoreless eighth inning, Ford took the bump in the bottom of the ninth. Brent Morel led off with a double down the left field line. After a sacrifice bunt moved Morel to third, Ryan Lee stepped to the plate. With one-out Lee bunted a Ford offering down the first base line, as Morel scampered home for the game-winning run.
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The Gauchos resume play tomorrow, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. as they take on Cal Poly in game two of the three-game series.
