This past weekend the UC San Diego Club Baseball hosted the Arizona State Sun Devils for a three game conference tilt. A tough Saturday put the Tritons in a tight spot where a Sunday loss would likely dash any chances of reaching the playoffs.

Game 1

The first game of the weekend was scheduled for nine innings on Saturday morning. UC San Diego struck early, scoring a pair of runs in the first on a single from junior Jacob Springman. The lead did not last long as ASU scored three runs in the top of the second off of starter, senior David Gomez. Both offenses would be stifled for the next few innings. Gomez finished off six solid innings still trailing 3-2. But it was the Sun Devil bats that would push runs across late. They scored one in the seventh and added another insurance run in the ninth. The Tritons struggled to find timely hits, with no runner reaching third past the first inning.

Game 1: Sun Devils 5 Tritons 2

Game 2

The Tritons looked to set up a Sunday rubber match with a game 2 win, but it went awry pretty quickly. Arizona State’s offense was red hot scoring four runs while batting around in the first. They added three more runs, two on a home run, in the second to establish a 7-0 lead. UC San Diego’s lineup couldn’t keep up with the Sun Devil’s onslaught. Junior Ray Young, in relief, maintained the score until the sixth when ASU scored another four runs. A scoreless bottom of the inning ended the game short on a mercy rule. Only five Tritons reached base in the game.

Game 2: Sun Devils 11 Tritons 0

Game 3

The Tritons entered Sunday needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, only one wild card berth is earned between the three divisions in the SO-PAC conference. The game got off another positive start with a two run first. Jacob Springman had an RBI single and junior Joey Flores doubled him in. The Sun Devils would answer with one run in the second, but junior Ray Estrada would strand the bases loaded to prevent any further damage. Much like game 1, a pitching duel ensued for the next few innings. This time around, it was UC San Diego that would add the insurance runs. In the fifth, Springman collected his fourth RBI of the weekend and was once again driven in on a double, this time off the bat of senior Seamus Beyerle. In the sixth, the Tritons would work four walks to add another run, then singles from junior Kelvin Murillo and Springman would bring in another three runs. Staked to seven run lead, Estrada was afforded the opportunity to close out the game himself. One run would come across, but Estrada again stranded the bases loaded to close out a complete game win.

Game 3: Tritons 8 Sun Devils 2

With the playoffs still within reach, the Tritons host the University of Arizona Wildcats next weekend, April 6th and 7th, at Triton Ballpark. It’s the final home series of the year, so come out and support!