SAN DIEGO, Calif. - James Free II homered again, while Kevin Sandri and Preston Moebius each posted RBI, but three early big innings from No. 25 San Diego held up as the Toreros downed Pacific baseball, 9-5, Thursday.

Ed O'Bannon III tossed five innings of two-hit, shutout ball starting in the fourth inning, but the Tigers couldn't cut into the deficit as all 14 runs in ballgame were scored in the first four innings.


Free launched a two-out solo homer down the left field line to put the Tigers on top, 1-0, in the first. The Toreros struck back with three in the bottom of the first, as Riley Adams homered to left, and after three walks, Kevin Collard doubled to plate two.

In the second, the Tigers answered to tie as Lucas Halstead doubled, and after walk to Keaton Glover, Moebius singled to right. Sandri followed with a single through the right side to tie the game at 3-3.

In the bottom of the second, the Toreros picked up a run on an error and a walk prior to a two-run double from Roman Garcia. Brhet Bewley added an RBI double for a 6-3 lead. The Toreros added three more runs in the third on a single and a two-run home run by Hunter Mercado-Hood. Jay Schuyler and Adams posted back-to-back doubles for a 9-3 USD lead.

The Tigers plated two in the top of the fourth on a single from Ryan Robards, a pair of walks and a two-run error in a fielder's choice from Tarantino.

San Diego starter Nick Sprengel (6-1) tossed 6.2 innings, striking out eight while allowing five runs, three earned.

Jonathan Teaney finished the final 2.1 innings, walking one while not allowing a hit.

Ryan Shreve started and allowed three earned on two hits and four walks in the first inning. Miles Haddad allowed six runs, four earned on six hits in two innings of work taking the loss (0-1) before O'Bannon held the Toreros in check.

The Tigers fall to 12-19 on the year, 2-11 in West Coast Conference play. No. 25 San Diego improves 23-9 overall and 10-3 in WCC action.

Game two of the series is set for Friday at 6 p.m.