Cal Poly baseball finished off a three-game sweep of UC San Diego (UCSD) on Sunday with a wild 12-11 win.
The Mustangs (21-8, 12-0 Big West) further cement themselves in the history books. Their 12 straight conference wins to open a season are second in Big West history, only behind UC Santa Barbara’s 18-0 start in 1988.
The Tritons (14-16, 4-6) put the Mustangs’ streak in serious jeopardy, leading for most of the game.
UCSD jumped Cal Poly starter Ethan Marmie for three runs in the first inning and plated six off the sophomore right-hander in the game.
Marmie recovered nicely after a shaky start, striking out six in the outing and giving the red-hot Mustang offense a chance to stay in the game.
Comeback kids
Still, things weren’t going Cal Poly’s way, and they found themselves in a 6-1 deficit in the 6th inning.
Then, the offense caught fire. The Mustangs scored 11 runs in their final three trips to the plate.
Timely hit after timely hit, the Mustangs found themselves back within striking distance in the bottom of the sixth before Baggett Stadium erupted with cheers in the bottom of the seventh from a go-ahead sac fly off the bat of Casey Murray Jr.
UCSD was persistent all game long, adding four runs in the top of the 8th to reclaim a three-run lead.
But yet again, the Mustangs had a response. After freshman infielder Jake Downing brought the Mustangs with one run with his second RBI of the game, back-to-back singles from third baseman Alejandro Garza and catcher Jack Collins gave Cal Poly the lead once again.
For an offense that has been as good as Cal Poly’s over the last several weeks, it seems as if they are never out of a ball game, and that belief is shared in the dugout as well.
“We know we have a good offense, and we know we can string together a three, four or five run inning,” Garza said. “We’re never out of the fight, and it’s just fun to watch. It’s fun to be a part of.”
Downing capitalizing on opportunity
How much experience did Downing have at first base prior to this three-game set?
“Zero,” the Redwood City native said with a smile.
Despite an obvious lack of experience, Downing was thrust into the starting first-baseman role on Friday due to an injury to usual starter Zach Daudet.
Batting in the nine-hole and playing a completely new position, Downing had a phenomenal series, notching six hits in the three games.
On Sunday, Downing was in the middle of a lot of the action, collecting a team-high three hits and turning the lineup over to prolong rallies.
“I’m feeling great right now,” Downing said. “I’m seeing the ball really well.”
Downing also made a glaring impact on the basepaths in this win, using his speed to take the extra base when presented with the opportunity. He also had one of four Mustang stolen bases on the day, a season-high for the team.
Downing’s stretch of play has been crucial for a team after losing one of their hottest hitters, and it should earn him more consistent playing time for the rest of the season.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to go to war with every day, and I know each one of them has my back, just like I have theirs,” Downing said.
Cal Poly will host their first mid-week game of the season when they take on San Jose State on Tuesday, April 8, at Baggett Stadium.