Mustang News Staff Report
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After being swept by Baylor to open the season, the Cal Poly baseball team (1-3) rebounded nicely on Tuesday, defeating Fresno State 7-6.
Freshman pitcher Andrew Bernstein picked up the win in his collegiate debut, going 5 1/3 innings while giving up just two hits and striking out four.
Cal Poly tallied its first run in the fourth inning thanks to a double by junior shortstop Peter Van Gansen that drove in senior outfielder Zach Zehner.
However, the Mustangs broke the game wide open after a four-run seventh inning sparked once again by Van Gansen, putting Cal Poly up 5-0. The shortstop doubled down the right-field line to lead off the inning. He later scored after a wild pitch.
Sophomore outfielder Kevin Morgan then drove in sophomore catcher Brett Barbier with an RBI single up the middle. Senior outfielder Jordan Ellis would join Morgan on the bases after a fielding error put him and Morgan on the corners, bringing up junior first baseman Brian Mundell. Mundell was clutch, singling to right field, scoring Morgan easily and also plating Ellis after an error by Fresno State’s right fielder.
The top of the eighth inning went almost the same as the seventh. A single by Ellis drove in Morgan, then a Mundell double to right-center scored Ellis, extending the Cal Poly lead to 7-0.
After seemingly having the game in the bag, the Mustangs nearly blew the seven-run lead. Fresno State roared back in its last two innings, notching three runs in the eighth (two earned) off freshman pitcher Erich Uelman.
The Bulldogs made another push in the bottom of the ninth. They were able to grab three more runs, bringing the deficit to just one, but Cal Poly senior pitcher Danny Zandona struck out three batters in the final inning to complete the save with two Bulldogs left on base.
Despite the lackluster defensive effort in the final two innings, the Mustangs came away with their first victory of the 2015 season.
Cal Poly’s home opener is Friday against Grand Canyon in Baggett Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.