Baseball loses super regionals

The CSM baseball team found themselves in a tricky situation Saturday, after losing to Cosumnes River 6-1 in their second game of the Super Regionals (hosted at CSM). They had to win out in their next three games in order to qualify for the State Tournament in Bakersfield and to avoid elimination. 

 

The Bulldogs had reason to believe after victories over Diablo Valley Saturday evening and Cosumnes River Sunday afternoon.Pitchers Dylan Price and Clay Bauer both turned in strong performances in the Bulldogs 5-2 victory over the Vikings and 7-6 extra innings victory over the Hawks, respectively. Needing a second victory over Cosumnes River Sunday evening, however, it was pitching that doomed the Bulldogs as 13 hit batters and walks paved the way for a Hawks 13-3 victory.“(CSM gave up) way too many free bases,” said CSM head coach Doug Williams, “You’re simply not going to win with 13 hit batters and walks.

 

In the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader, starter Clay Bauer went 8 ⅔ innings for CSM, striking out six, giving up five hits and six runs, none of which were earned. The most astonishing stat for Bauer was his 152 pitches. As he was being pulled with two outs in the ninth, however, he lobbied Williams to let him stay in the game.“I told (Williams) that I could get another guy, but he told me he cared more about my arm and my health,” said Bauer, who will be pitching for Oregon State next season, “I don’t think I’ve ever thrown that many pitches.”

 

Relieving Bauer was Parker Swindell, who, after inheriting runners on second and third with a 6-4 lead, promptly gave up the game tying single to Jake Schu. Swindell retired the seven of the next eight batters, however, not surrendering a single hit in extras.Leading offensive production in game 1 for the Bulldogs were outfielder Mark Hurley and second baseman Paul Hernandez. Both went 3-for-5 and collected two RBI, including the winning run which Hernandez drove in on a suicide squeeze in the 11th inning.“(Hurley) struggled a lot this year, moving all around the line up,” said Williams, “(His performance in the series) is just a testament to him and his competitiveness.”In game 2, CSM, playing as the away team, began the game by driving in three runs in the top of the first. Cosumnes River, however, answered with a run in the bottom of the first and five in the bottom of the second. The Bulldogs never climbed back, despite out-hitting the Hawks, surrendering nine walks and four hit batsmen.CSM starter Luke McCreesh only recorded three outs, giving up two hits, a walk, and three runs. Relieving McCreesh was Andrew Herrera who was stuck with the loss giving up five hits and four earned runs in four innings pitched.

 

“I would’ve started Swindell if he hadn’t relieved in the first game,” said Williams, “McCreesh had been starting towards the end of the season and he’s a real competitor so I put him in.”“(Losing) was a big shock,” said Bauer, “(On offense) the balls 

 

weren’t falling.”Hurley lead Bulldog offensive production yet again. going threefor -four, totaling six hits in nine at bats for the day. Cosumes River starter Nick Smart went six innings giving up 

seven hits, three earned runs and striking out four.Hawks center fielder Colby Brenner lead Cosumnes River batters going two-for-four with four RBI. Second basean Jake Schu also went two-for-four adding two RBI.

 

With the win, Cosumnes River advanced to the state tournament in Bakersfield, where they will join Sierra College, Rio Hondo, and Orange Coast.