The SF State baseball team’s Sunday doubleheader was cut down to just one game but there was still plenty of baseball played, as the Cal State San Marcos Cougars outlasted the Gators 6-3 in 16 innings.
With two outs in the top of the 16th, and runners at the corners, San Marcos third basemen L.A. Gamo tripled over the head of right fielder Myles Franklin to put his club up 5-3.
Gator Designated hitter Dalton Pizzuti walked to lead of the bottom of the 16th, but the Cougars would turn a double play to end it for the Gators.
“They took advantage of the opportunities we gave them,” assistant coach Tyler Latorre said. “When you get a long game like that, you have to keep your team focused.”
The Gators had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the 12th, but first basemen Chris Nicholson sent a line shot right at the shortstop. All three runners were stranded after second basemen Joe Chedid struck out.
The Gators’ offense struggled to execute all day — two of their three runs came unearned — but the pitching staff kept the game close.
Starting pitcher Peter Reyes gave up seven hits, two runs and one walk in five innings, but limited the damage with runners on base. The senior had the bases loaded in the top of the third when he got the Cougars’ clean-up hitter Clinton Perez to line out to Chedid, who then threw to first for an inning-ending double play.
Left handed pitcher Shane Martin came out of the bullpen in the tenth to throw four scoreless innings. The senior struck out four, while allowing only two hits.
“I came in and gave up a lead-off double and told myself I wasn’t going to let that guy score,” Martin said. “I love being the guy that has the ball when the game is on the line. It’s a lot of fun for me.”
Shortstop Bryce Brooks said it was a tough loss, especially after seeing every other team in the California Collegiate Athletic Association North lose on the same day.
“It’s a tough one, but we have to swallow it and move on to San Diego next weekend,” Brooks said.
The Gators will travel to La Jolla to face the No. 26 UC San Diego Tritons in a three-game series, starting April 16 at Triton Ballpark.
