March 2, 2011

Box Score

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STOCKTON, Calif. - The Pacific Tigers rallied from down two runs to post a walk-off, 3-2 win over Sacramento State Wednesday night at Klein Family Field. Senior OF Matt Carvutto delivered a bases loaded single over the drawn in outfield to plate the winning run.

The Tigers fell behind 2-0 on Hornets runs in the third and fourth innings, but tied the game 2-2 on a two-run single to left by 1B Brian Martin (Livermore, Calif.). After loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth with nobody out, Carvutto (Poway, Calif.) lifted a deep fly to the left centerfield gap which fell over the heads of the shallow outfielders for the game-winner.

The game-winning RBI made a winner of senior RHP Robbie Richardson (Lodi, Calif.), who retired six of the last seven with one hit and one strikeout to even his record at 1-1.

Andrew Galvan took the loss for Sacramento State (3-6), dropping his record to 0-3.

The Tigers starter, senior RHP Marcus Pointer (Pacifica, Calif.), allowed one earned in three innings of work, as he struck out two and gave up two hits.

In the third inning, the Hornets' Hunter Adrian led off with a triple to right center and came into score on an RBI groundout by OF Eli Davis.

Pointer gave way to junior RHP Jacob Waardenburg (Klamath Falls, Ore.), who allowed two hits and an earned run in two innings with a strikeout. After leadoff man David Del Grande was hit by pitch, stole second and advanced to third on a line out to center field to open the fourth, Kirby Young put Sacramento State up 2-0 with a single through the right side.

In the fifth, sophomore 2B Dustin Torchio (Santa Cruz, Calif.) singled through the right side for a one-out base runner. Junior CF Brett Christopher (Livermore, Calif.) followed with a double to right field to set up second and third for Martin. The Tigers' lefty first baseman delivered a line drive to left field off Sac State's sophomore RHP Brandon Creel to plate both runners and knot the score at 2-2.

Creel pitched through the seventh inning, striking out seven while allowing five Pacific hits. Tigers' junior RHP Jared Wagner struck out five 10 batters faced in the sixth and seventh, allowing a pair of hits while walking two.

Torchio set the table again in the ninth, drawing a leadoff walk. Christopher followed with a two-strike bunt back to Galvan, who thought about going to second base and mishandled the ball allowing Christopher to be safe on the sacrifice. Martin then attempted a sacrifice, only to find himself on first with a single as his bunt died halfway down the third base line, leaving Galvan no play on any runner.

That set the stage for Carvutto, who drove the 1-1 pitch from Galvan over the defense with the game-winning single.

"Everyone did their job at the beginning of the inning," Carvutto said. "I was looking for a fastball, it was the right pitch... It felt good. It's always good to get a win. Two in a row now, so we got a little streak going. Now we've got to keep it going."

Martin and Carvutto each finished two-for-five on the day, while Torchio turned in a two-for-three performance with a walk and two runs scored.

Pacific improves to 2-5 on the season, with back-to-back victories. The Tigers have now won four straight at home over the Hornets and seven of the last eight meetings at Klein Family Field.

The Tigers continue a five-game home stand on Friday with a three-game series against Gonzaga. After Friday's 6 p.m. start, the Tigers and Bulldogs play Saturday at 2 p.m. and wrap up at 1 p.m. on Salute To The Troops Sunday.