This past weekend, Cal Poly Baseball struggled yet again against a Power 4 opponent, this time to the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, Texas A&M, at Blue Bell Park.
The Mustangs (1-5) offense and pitching couldn’t keep up with the bats of the Aggies (5-0), as they were outscored 10-4 in their first two games on Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22.
Some bright spots for Cal Poly during the first two games included two freshmen: Outfielder Dante Vachini and shortstop Nate Castellon.
In the three-game set, Vachini went 2-for-7 with three walks and only one strikeout, while Castellon hit 4-for-7 with a walk and zero strikeouts.
The Mustangs will look to potentially lean on these freshmen as the season progresses, especially if the rest of the offense continues to struggle, as it did in this series.
Mustangs drops series opener against the Aggies
Cal Poly dropped a frigid opening game to the No.1 ranked team in the nation, Texas A&M, 6-1 on Friday, Feb. 21 at Blue Bell Park.
The Mustangs had chances early in the game to score against the Aggies but struggled to convert with runners in scoring position.
In total, the Cal Poly offense was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and 1-for-19 with runners on base.
The bright spot on offense had to be the freshman Vachini.
He opened the game up with a single in his first collegiate leadoff at-bat and finished the day 2-for-4 with a walk.
Sophomore right-hander Griffin Naess once again struggled in his second start, getting behind in counts often against a high-powered Texas A&M offense.
Naess was chased in the bottom of the fifth. After giving up a leadoff home run, the next two Aggies reached scoring position, spelling the end of the day for Naess.
Sophomore right-handed reliever Reece Bueno allowed both inherited runners to score to break the game open for Texas A&M.
Naess’ final line was four innings pitched, with four runs scoring on four hits. It was also his first loss in his collegiate career.
Cal Poly’s only run of the game came on a double play in the seventh inning by sophomore third baseman Alejandro Garza.
Freshman left-hander Luke Kalfsbeek pitched a scoreless eighth inning, making it back-to-back scoreless appearances after giving up three runs in his collegiate debut.
Freshman shortstop Nate Castellon flashed the leather numerous times, providing high-level defense at the game’s premier defensive position.
The offense has struggled to start the season, with the team as a whole hitting just a tick above the Mendoza Line at .204. This figure will have to rise if Cal Poly wants to start racking up wins.
The Mustangs look to steal a road win against the top-ranked team in the nation on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m.
Cal Poly nearly upsets No. 1 Texas A&M on Saturday
Cal Poly baseball had No. 1 ranked Texas A&M on the ropes on Saturday afternoon but ultimately fell by a score of 4-3.
The Mustangs (1-5) fought hard to the last out against the star-studded Aggies (5-0), getting the tying run in scoring position in the top of the ninth inning.
One of those Aggie stars is outfielder Jace LaViolette, a projected top-three pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, who was struck out twice by Mustang starting pitcher Josh Volmerding in the game.
Volmerding had his longest outing of the year and was fantastic, lasting 5 2/3 innings, striking out eight and allowing one earned run. The sophomore’s 111 pitches thrown was the most of his collegiate career and also the first time he’s eclipsed the 100-pitch mark.
A weather delay struck in the eighth inning and lasted approximately an hour and 22 minutes. When play resumed, the Mustangs had just one offensive inning left to work with, needing to overcome a 4-2 deficit.
The Mustangs had the lead in portions of the game, grabbing a 1-0 advantage in the third inning and going up 2-1 in the seventh, but a three-run bottom of the seventh for the Aggies proved to be enough cushion to put the game to rest.
The Mustang offense compiled only five hits but held the Aggies to just six. Sloppy defense was a theme in the rainy conditions, with two of the three Cal Poly runs coming via errors.
The latter of the two came in the top of the ninth. Down to their final out with a runner on third, second-baseman Ryan Fenn hit a chopper to the right side and reached when the covering pitcher failed to touch first base.
This gift gave Garza a chance to tie or take the lead. After working the count full, Garza flew out to center field, ending the game and the Mustangs’ chances at a colossal upset.
The bright spot offensively was the freshman Castellon.
Castellon, who has been praised for his defensive play in the young season, had a breakout game with the bat, recording three hits and two runs scored. Castellon getting rolling offensively would be a big bonus for the Mustangs, as his plus defense at a premium position already provides value.
The Mustangs will look to steal the series finale on Sunday, Feb. 22, at Blue Bell Park.
