LA JOLLA, Calif. - Starting pitcher Ryan Goodbrand picked up his ninth win of the season and Nick La Face drove in three runs as the UC San Diego baseball team rolled to a 6-1 non-conference victory over Grand Canyon University Friday evening at Triton Ballpark.
With just a single game left in the regular season, UCSD improved to 29-20 with the win. Grand Canyon fell to 26-23.
The game was tied 1-1 after an inning and a half before the Tritons tallied the eventual game-winning run in the fifth. They went on to score two more in each of the sixth and seventh innings.
Goodbrand (9-0) tossed five complete innings, giving up a single run on two hits while striking out six and walking one. The junior retired the final eight batters he faced.
The solid pitching didn't stop with Goodbrand as Trevor Scott and Elias Tuma held GCU scoreless over the final four innings. Scott gave up no hits and struck out five in 2.2 innings of work. The freshman left-hander retired the first seven batters he saw and struck out the side in the seventh inning. In the eighth, the Antelopes loaded the bases on two infield errors and a walk. With two outs, Tuma replaced Scott and quickly put the lid on the jam by striking out the first batter he faced. He went on to finish the game and collect his third save.
The Triton offense gave plenty of support to the staff. Designated hitter Nick La Face was 2-for-3 with a run and three RBI. He smacked a two-run home run to right field in the sixth inning, the fourth of his season. Center fielder Danny Susdorf doubled twice, scored two runs and stole his team-leading 26th base. Right fielder Gregg Ringold also doubled while shortstop Garrett Tuck had a run, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly.
For GCU, DH Charles Wagner had two hits and scored the team's lone run. Shortstop Ernesto Ortiz also had two hits and drove in Wagner with a double. Starter Brady Wager (7-4) took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits through six innings. He struck out four and walked three.
Also on Friday, California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) member Chico State used a 12th-inning home run to defeat Cal State Stanislaus in the opener of a four-game series. The win clinched a spot for the Wildcats in next week's CCAA Tournament in La Jolla. UCSD punched its ticket to the tourney last week.
The Tritons and Antelopes meet again Saturday in La Jolla at noon. Prior to the game, the six seniors on the UCSD roster will be recognized, including pitchers Justin Burns, Jeff Rauh, Greg Selarz, Tuma and Tony York, as well as Ringold.
- UCSDtritons.com -
