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(Dec.
1, 2004) - The UC Riverside baseball team has signed four
players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing
period, it was announced Wednesday. Kevin Bunch, Erick Carillo,
Sean Greer, and A.J. Smith are all Southern Californians and
will enroll at UCR in the fall of 2005.
Bunch,
a 6-5, 210-pound catcher, was a First Team All-CIF selection
last year at Serrano High School in Victorville. He led the
Diamondbacks in every offensive category, hitting .548 with
34 hits, seven home runs, and 27 runs batted in while slugging
1.065 and scoring a team-high 33 runs. UCR Head Coach Doug
Smith likes Bunch’s versatility, saying that, “Kevin
is one of the top catchers in California. He has shown the
ability to hit for average and power. He will also be used
as a pitcher due to his strong arm.”
Carrillo
is a 6-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher and shortstop from
nearby Kaiser High School in Fontana. Last season, Carillo
was 4-2 with one save for the Cats, posting a 3.52 earned
run average. He also struck out 38 batters in 49.7 innings.
Offensively, Carrillo hit .371 with ten doubles, two triples,
and four home runs. Smith also likes Carrillo’s athleticism,
stating, “Erick has a tremendous upside. He has a loose
arm with a powerful slider. Erick is as athletic and aggressive
as they come.”
Greer
is another right-handed pitcher who will bolster the Highlander
pitching staff. Also 6-1 and 170 pounds, he was 8-1 with a
1.35 ERA in 63 IP at Martin Luther King HS in Riverside. A
Second Team All-CIF selection, Greer struck out 53 last season
for the Wolves. Smith proclaims, “Sean is extremely
polished and competitive. He commands three quality pitches
and has been successful at gathering outs.”
Hailing
from Orange, A.J. Smith is a 6-3, 195-pounder who was ranked
by Team One as one of the top-40 high school first basemen
and top-200 senior prospects playing at Villa Park HS. According
to Coach Smith, A.J. (no relation), “has a chance to
provide some power immediately for us. He possesses superb
batspeed and has the chance to make an immediate impact in
our lineup.”
UCR
went 33-24 in 2004 and finished third in the Big West Conference.
The 2005 season marks the first year under new Head Coach
Doug Smith.
(July
20, 2004) - The UC Riverside baseball team made the jump to
NCAA Division I three years ago, and has proven to be one
of the top baseball programs in California over that span.
Only three other teams – Stanford, Cal State Fullerton
and Long Beach State – have had more success over the
last three years. The Cardinal has won nearly 75 percent,
while the Highlanders have a won over 60 percent of their
contests.
Of the five University of California schools competing at
the Division I level, UCR has the best overall winning record
and best conference winning record. The Highlanders have had
more success than fellow Big West members UC Irvine and UC
Santa Barbara and Pacific-10 members UCLA and California.
In the Big West, UCR has won 53 percent of its games with
UCI at 48.5 percent and UCSB at just under 40 percent.
All Division I Baseball Teams in the UC System
2004
2003 2002* TOTAL
School W
L W L W L W L
WIN %
1 UC Riverside 33 24
41 17 30 28 104 69 60.1%
2 UC Irvine 34
23 21 35 33 26 88 84 51.2%
3 UC Santa Barbara 33 21 25 28 22 33 80 82 49.4%
4 UC Berkley 25
31 28 27 29 27 82 85 49.1%
5 UC Los Angeles 35 29 28 31 26 35 89
95 48.4%
All
Division I Baseball Teams in the UC System (Conference Games)
2004
2003 2002* TOTAL
School W
L W L W L W L
WIN %
1 UC Riverside 11 10
14 7 10 14 35 31 53.0%
2 UC Irvine 10
11 8 13 14 10 32 34 48.5%
3 UC Los Angeles 14 10 11 13 9 15
34 38 47.2%
4 UC Berkley 9
15 10 14 11 13 30 42 41.7%
5 UC Santa Barbara 10 11 8 13 8 16 26
40 39.4%
All
Division I Baseball Teams in California
2004
2003 2002* TOTAL
School (Conference) W
L W L W L W L
WIN %
1 Stanford (Pac-10) 46
14 51 18 47 18 144 50 74.2%
2 CS Fullerton (Big West) 47 22 50 17 37
22 134 61 68.7%
3 Long Beach St. (Big West) 40 21 41 20 39 21 120 62
65.9%
4 UC Riverside (Big West) 33 24
41 17 30 28 104 69 60.1%
5 San Diego (WCC) 35
21 32 30 39 24 106 75 58.6%
6 SDSU (MWC) 35
29 29 32 43 23 107 84 56.0%
7 Cal Poly-SLO (Big West) 38 23 27 28 30
29 95 80 54.3%
8 San Jose State (WAC) 23
31 25 32 45 17 93 80 53.8%
9 Pepperdine (WCC) 30
32 36 25 31 32 97 89 52.2%
10 Fresno State (WAC) 29
29 30 29 32 27 91 85 51.7%
11 USC (Pac-10)
24 32 28 28 37 24 89 84 51.4%
12 UC Irvine (Big West) 34 23
21 35 33 26 88 84 51.2%
13 Santa Clara (WCC) 27
29 31 26 25 30 83 85 49.4%
14 UCSB (Big West) 33
21 25 28 22 33 80 82 49.4%
15 California (Pac-10) 25
31 28 27 29 27 82 85 49.1%
16 UCLA (Pac-10) 35
29 28 31 26 35 89 95 48.4%
17 Sacramento State (Ind.) 29 32 33 24 22 34 84
90 48.3%
18 Loyola Marymount (WCC) 32 22 26
30 22 34 80 86 48.2%
19 Pacific (Big West) 20
34 27 27 26 28 73 89 45.1%
20 CS Northridge (Big West) 19 38 14 42 43 23 76
103 42.5%
21 San Francisco (WCC) 27
32 25 30 18 38 70 100 41.2%
22 Saint Mary's (WCC) 14
41 18 37 22 27 54 105 34.0%
(Aug.
2, 2004) - UCR Head Coach Jack Smitheran caps off his summer
as an assistant with the USA Baseball team with a gold-medal
win over Japan in the FISU II World University Baseball Championship
Sunday night at Tainan Stadium.
Center
fielder Drew Stubbs (Fr., Texas, Atlanta, Texas) hit the game-winning,
two-run triple in the fifth inning as the 2004 USA Baseball
National Team came from behind to defeat Japan 4-2 to win
the gold medal.
The victory capped a perfect 8-0 run through the seven-team
tournament, ending the summer season with an 18-7 record,
including winning 12 of the last 14 games. Japan had previously
swept Team USA the five-game USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star
series in early July, but the Americans had the last word
winning Friday 5-3 and today in the decisive gold medal game.
Starting pitcher Luke Hochevar (So., Tennessee, Fowler, Colo.)
earned his first decision of the summer to improve to 1-0
with a near-dominating performance. The hard-throwing right-hander
gave up two runs and three hits in the first inning, but settled
into a groove to at one point retire 18 straight batters.
Hochevar ended up scattering five hits and struck out seven
in seven innings. Relievers Joey Devine (So., NC State, Junction
City, Kan.), Cesar Ramos (So., Long Beach State, Pico Rivera,
Calif.) and closer J. Brent Cox (So., Texas, Bay City, Texas)
sealed the win with two combined scoreless innings.
Japanese starting pitcher Yasuhiro Ichiba had a perfect game
through three innings before Stubbs led off the fourth inning
with a single. A walk to Travis Buck (So., Arizona State,
Richland, Wash.) and a pair of balks plated a run to cut the
lead to 2-1. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (So, Virginia, Virginia
Beach, Va.) tied the game while grounding into a double play.
Team USA took the lead in its next at-bat when Stubbs drilled
the two-out, two-run triple to the left field gap. Shortstop
Troy Tulowitzki (So., Long Beach State, Sunnyvale, Calif.)
singled and second baseman Chris Valaika (Fr., UC Santa Barbara,
Valencia, Calif.) drew a two-out walk to set the table for
Stubbs. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year drilled the first
offering from Ichiba to the left field gap to clear the bases
and give Team USA the 4-2 lead.
Cox came in and recorded his third save in as many days and
fourth of the tournament. Team USA and Japan each had six
hits in the game with Stubbs leading the way going 2-for-4
with his two-run triple. Zimmerman went 1-for-3 with his team-leading
12th double and finished the summer with the National Team
single-season record for batting average at .468 (36-for-77).
First baseman Alex Gordon (So., Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.) went
0-for-3 in the contest, but earned offensive MVP honors in
the tournament batting .524 (11-for-21) with eight runs and
two home runs in the tournament.
(Sept.
2, 2004) - UC Riverside Head Baseball Coach Jack Smitheran
has announced his resignation, effective Friday, September
3, 2004, bringing his 31-year career with the Highlander baseball
program to a close.
Long-time
Assistant Coach Doug Smith, who played collegiately at UCR
and who has been on the coaching staff since his graduation
in 1975, was appointed head coach by Athletics Director Stan
Morrison. Assistant Coaches Andrew Checketts and Estevan Valencia
will also remain with the program.
“There
is an old adage in baseball that you are better off taking
somebody out too soon than too late,” Smitheran said.
“I have been here for 31 wonderful years and I think
there just comes a time when you look for other opportunities,
or other things in life. I think that time has come for me.”
“It
is just a matter of me feeling that my work is done here and
that the program needs to be turned over to someone who will
take it to greater heights, which I have every confidence
that Doug Smith will do so,” Smitheran added. “He
has been groomed for this job and I think the continuity and
integrity of the program will be continued. I fully expect
to see greater success for the program in the near future.”
In
a collegiate coaching career spanning 35 years, Smitheran
posted a record of 1,097-770-3, including a 974-709-3 mark
in 31 years at UC Riverside and a 104-69 record in three years
at the Division I level. In his tenure he guided the evolution
of the Highlander program from an unknown Division II school
into a Division II NCAA champion and eventually into a Division
I postseason qualifier.
Among
his coaching successes are the Highlanders’ 2003 appearance
at the NCAA Division I West Regional, eight California Collegiate
Athletics Association titles, 10 NCAA Division II West Regional
appearances, trips to five Division II College World Series
and two NCAA Division II National Championships. He had also
been named CCAA Coach of the Year eight times in his career
and has had nine of his former players reach the big leagues,
including current Anaheim Angels closer Troy Percival.
Smitheran
has received several honors over the past few years.
• In May 2004 he was inducted into the Riverside Sports
Hall of Fame.
• In April 2004 Smitheran was named one of three assistant
coaches for the 2004 USA Baseball National Team that won the
Gold Medal at the FISU World University Baseball Championship.
• In January 2002 he was inducted into the American
Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
• On February 17, 2002 Smitheran reached a major career
milestone as he won his 1,000th career game.
• In October 2002 he was given the “Spirit of
the Dove Award” by ARC of Riverside in recognition of
his work with the youth of Riverside.
“Jack
Smitheran’s stamp on the UCR Baseball program will remain
for decades to come,” Morrison said. “The discipline,
toughness, dedication and loyalty demonstrated by our student-athletes
is rooted in the lessons taught on and off the field by our
Hall of Fame coach over the last 31 years. He is a true champion.”
Smitheran arrived in Riverside in 1974 and in just his second
season took his squad to their first postseason appearance
at the Division II NCAA Regionals. In 1977 he guided the team
to a 43-19 record and the program’s first Division II
National Championship. Five years later, in 1982, the team
won its second championship as the underdog Highlanders rebounded
from a losing record in late April to win 16 of their last
20 games and win the Division II title.
In
1998, Smitheran became just the fifth NCAA Division II coach
to achieve 900 victories in his career.
He
began his coaching career at Emporia State University in 1970,
recording a 123-61 record and a pair of NAIA District X Championships
in his four years with the Hornets.
Click
here to download color publication quality mug shot of Coach
Jack Smitheran
(Sept.
14, 2004) - Randy Betten has been hired as an assistant coach
for the UC Riverside Baseball program, Head Coach Doug Smith
announced Tuesday. He comes to the Highlanders after one year
at Cal Baptist University and eight seasons at Riverside Community
College.
“Randy
Betten is an outstanding young coach and his playing experience
will be a tremendous benefit to our program,” Smith
said. “His skills as an infield coach are unparalleled.”
“I
am very excited to be joining Coach Smith’s staff here
at Riverside,” Betten said. “I am looking forward
to helping the Highlanders make it to the College World Series.”
In 2004 Betten served as an assistant to former UCR assistant
and Cal Baptist Head Coach Gary Adcock. The Lancers overcame
a slow start to post a 30-22 record and finished as runners-up
in the Region II Tournament.
Betten
was on Head Coach Dennis Rogers’ staff from 1996-2003
and coached on three straight California Community College
state championships from 2000-02.
Betten
played professionally for six years after being taken in the
26th round by the California Angels in the 1995 draft. He
reached as high as the AAA level in the minors with the Angels’
teams in Vancouver and Edmonton in 1998 and 1999. He began
his coaching career in 2000 with the Angels Midwest League
affiliate, Cedar Rapids.
A
graduate of Newlife Christian HS in Highland, CA, Betten began
his college career at RCC, earning All-American, All-Southern
California and All-Orange Empire Conference honors for Coach
Dennis Rodgers in 1992 and 1993. He then earned a scholarship
to Arizona State. Playing for Coach Jim Brock, Betten was
part of a team that finished third in the 1994 College World
Series. In 1995, Betten earned All-Pacific 10 Conference first
team honors. He also served as a team captain.
Betten
earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Thomas
Edison State College in 1998. He also earned a master’s
degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific in 2002.
Betten’s
hobbies include playing golf. He and his wife, Amy, two young
children, Beau and Cody and reside in Riverside.
(Dec.
1, 2004) - The UC Riverside baseball team has signed four
players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing
period, it was announced Wednesday. Kevin Bunch, Erick Carillo,
Sean Greer, and A.J. Smith are all Southern Californians and
will enroll at UCR in the fall of 2005.
Bunch,
a 6-5, 210-pound catcher, was a First Team All-CIF selection
last year at Serrano High School in Victorville. He led the
Diamondbacks in every offensive category, hitting .548 with
34 hits, seven home runs, and 27 runs batted in while slugging
1.065 and scoring a team-high 33 runs. UCR Head Coach Doug
Smith likes Bunch’s versatility, saying that, “Kevin
is one of the top catchers in California. He has shown the
ability to hit for average and power. He will also be used
as a pitcher due to his strong arm.”
Carrillo
is a 6-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher and shortstop from
nearby Kaiser High School in Fontana. Last season, Carillo
was 4-2 with one save for the Cats, posting a 3.52 earned
run average. He also struck out 38 batters in 49.7 innings.
Offensively, Carrillo hit .371 with ten doubles, two triples,
and four home runs. Smith also likes Carrillo’s athleticism,
stating, “Erick has a tremendous upside. He has a loose
arm with a powerful slider. Erick is as athletic and aggressive
as they come.”
Greer
is another right-handed pitcher who will bolster the Highlander
pitching staff. Also 6-1 and 170 pounds, he was 8-1 with a
1.35 ERA in 63 IP at Martin Luther King HS in Riverside. A
Second Team All-CIF selection, Greer struck out 53 last season
for the Wolves. Smith proclaims, “Sean is extremely
polished and competitive. He commands three quality pitches
and has been successful at gathering outs.”
Hailing
from Orange, A.J. Smith is a 6-3, 195-pounder who was ranked
by Team One as one of the top-40 high school first basemen
and top-200 senior prospects playing at Villa Park HS. According
to Coach Smith, A.J. (no relation), “has a chance to
provide some power immediately for us. He possesses superb
batspeed and has the chance to make an immediate impact in
our lineup.”
UCR
went 33-24 in 2004 and finished third in the Big West Conference.
The 2005 season marks the first year under new Head Coach
Doug Smith.
(Jan.
20, 2005) - The UC Riverside baseball team will hold its annual
alumni game this Saturday, January 22, 2005 at the Riverside
Sports Complex. A full day is scheduled, starting with the
first pitch at noon and concluding with a postgame barbeque.
The event is free to the public although there will be a $5
charge for the postgame barbeque.
The game will feature the 2005 Highlanders against a team
of former UCR players. Expected to return to Riverside are
current professional players Jimmy Anderson, Randy Blood,
Ryan Harvey, Adam Seuss, and Brian Wahlbrink, as well as last
year’s graduates, Tony Festa, Brian Hoff, John Martinez,
and Jaymie Torres.
The
day will start with alumni batting practice at 10:30 a.m.
before the game gets underway at 12 noon. A postgame barbeque
picnic is scheduled to which all players, families, and fans
are welcome to attend. There is no admission charge for the
game but there is a $5 fee for Diamond Club Members to the
barbeque.
The
Riverside Sports Complex is located at the corner of Canyon
Crest Drive and Blaine Street in Riverside. For more information,
please contact the baseball office at (951) 827-5441.
(Jan.
28, 2005) - Due to rain and field conditions, the UC Riverside
baseball season opener at Santa Clara University has been
postponed until Saturday afternoon. The Broncos and Highlanders
will begin the first game of a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. Sunday's
game is still set for 1:00 p.m. at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Box
Score
(Jan.
29, 2005) - A day later than scheduled, UCR opened up its
2005 campaign with a 14-9 loss at Santa Clara in the first
game of a doubleheader Saturday. The Broncos scored nine runs
in the eighth inning to overcome a 9-5 deficit.
The
Broncos (1-0) sent 17 hitters to the plate in the eighth against
three Highlander pitchers. Kris Watts opened the inning with
a single to rightfield off of Matt Millett. Dustin Realini
followed with a single to right, advancing Watts to third.
Jason Matteucci gave the Broncos their third consecutive single,
scoring Watts. Pat Cassa replaced Millett and promptly hit
pinch-hitter Shawn Epidendio, loading the bases. Ryan Chiarelli
pulled Santa Clara within one with a two-RBI single through
the right side before Cassa got the first out of the inning,
striking out Nathan Faulkner. Marc Rzepczynski relieved Cassa
and gave up an RBI double to Robert Perry tying the game.
With first base open, Nic Crosta was intentionally walked
but the gamble did not pay off as Rzepcynski then walked Michael
Thompson to force in the go-ahead run. For the second time
in the inning, Watts singled to right, driving in yet another
run. A sacrifice bunt added one more run before Matteucci
singled in another run and pinch-hitter Kevin Drever hit an
RBI double to left. A walk loaded the bases before Rzepczynski
enduced Faulkner to end the inning with a fly-out. The
Highlanders failed to muster a rally in the ninth.
Cassa
(0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on one hit in one-third
of an inning. The Broncos' comeback spoiled a fine collegiate
debut from freshman starter James Simmons, who allowed four
runs (three earned), on six hits in six innings.
Donald Brandt (1-0) got
the win in his collegiate debut for Santa Clara. Kellan McConnell
started the game, allowing four runs and seven hits in 4 2/3
innings.
UCR
(0-1) took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third on a two-out,
three-run homer by Nick Salotti. An RBI double by Brian Steinmeyer
extended the lead in the fifth before the Broncos answered
with two in the bottom of the frame. Matt Cunningham led off
the sixth with a home run to put UCR back up two, 5-3. Aaron
Grant's second RBI double put UCR ahead 9-5 in the eighth
but it would not hold Santa Clara's comeback.
Grant
ended the day 4-for-5 with three doubles, three RBI and two
runs scored. Salotti also drove in three, going 2-for-5 on
the day as UCR pounded out 13 hits.
The
Highlanders and Broncos play game two of the doubleheader
this evening. The series wraps up with a 1 p.m. game Sunday.
Box
Score
(Jan.
29, 2005) - UCR split a Saturday doubleheader at Santa Clara,
winning game two 3-2, after dropping game one 14-9.
The Highlanders took advantage of four Bronco errors to give
Head Coach Doug Smith his first win.
The Highlanders (1-1) overcame
a 2-1 deficit by scoring once in the seventh and once in the
ninth. Jeff Dunbar scored the winning run on an attempted
double-steal as the Broncos (1-1) caught Jaime Pedroza in
a rundown. Dunbar had singled with two outs, advanced to second
on a wild pitch and then went to third on shortstop Michael
Lange's second error of the game.
Anthony Claggett pitched
a scoreless ninth for his first save.
Dunbar tied the game in
the seventh, reaching and advancing to second on centerfielder
Robert Perry's fielding error. Pedroza's sacrifice bunt moved
Dunbar to third and, one out later, Dunbar scored on Lange's
first error.
Taylor Bills (1-0) picked up the win, pitching eight innings,
allowing two runs on four hits and striking out six. Thomas
Van Buskirk (0-1) took the loss.
The Highlanders and Broncos
complete their series with a 1 p.m. game Sunday.
Box
Score
(Jan.
30, 2005) - UC Riverside took the opening series of the season
at Santa Clara, defeating the Broncos 5-2 Sunday at Buck Shaw
Stadium. Andrew Garcia, Aaron Grant, and Kyle Barratt all
homered as UCR improved to 2-1.
The
Highlanders opened the scoring in the third inning when Garcia
hit his first career homer, a solo shot to right. UCR extended
its lead two inning later when Barratt opened the fifth with
a double, advancing to third on Garcia's sacrifice bunt, and
scoring on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Grant slammed
a pitch over the fence in right for a two-run shot, giving
UCR a 4-0 lead.
The Broncos (1-2) answered
back with a run in the bottom of the sixth off of starter
Haley Winter (1-0) but the Highlanders reestablished their
three-run cushion when Barratt led off the ninth with a homer
to left. Santa Clara added a run in the bottom of the ninth
but could not muster a rally.
Winter went five strong
innings, allowing seven hits and one run. Santa Clara's Mike
Stutes lasted just 4 2/3, giving up four runs on five hits.
The
Highlanders open their 2005 home schedule on Friday with a
6:00 p.m. game against San Diego at the Riverside Sports Complex.
The Highlanders and Toreros then play a single game in San
Diego on Saturday before returning to Riverside for a 1:00
p.m. game Sunday.
Box
Score
(Feb.
4, 2005) - UC Riverside dropped its 2005 home opener to San
Diego 7-1 Friday night in front of 346 at the Riverside Sports
Complex. The Highlanders fall to 2-2 with the loss.
USD (6-3-1) got on the board early, chasing UCR starter James
Simmons (0-1) after just 1 1/3 innings. Simmons gave up back-to-back
doubles to Keoni Ruth and Ryan Lilly to open the game but
got out of the inning with only one run scoring. The Toreros
put three across in the second, however, to knock Simmons
out. The freshman allowed a lead-off double to Steve Singleton,
then struck out Matthew Weston for the first out. Simmons
then conceded consecutive singles before a run-scoring double
by Ruth ended Simmons' night.
The
Highlanders pulled a run back in the bottom of the third with
junior catcher Jeff Abney reaching on a bunt single. Abney
advanced to second on a fielding error by Lilly, then scored
on a single to right by junior rightfielder Aaron Grant.
The
score remained 4-1 until the top of the eighth, when the Toreros
pushed across three runs to secure the win. Nate Boman (2-0)
went seven innings for USD, allowing one run on three hits
and striking out eight.
The
two teams travel to San Diego tomorrow to play game two of
the three-game series at 1 p.m. at Cunningham Stadium. They
return to Riverside Sunday to complete the series with a 1
p.m. start.
Box
Score
(Feb.
5, 2005) - A day after mustering five hits in a 7-1 loss to
San Diego, UC Riverside pushed across seven runs on five hits
to beat the Toreros 7-4 at Cunningham Stadium. The Highlanders
scored five times in the eighth to break a 2-2 tie, then held
on for the victory.
The
Highlanders (2-2) took advantage of three walks by Dustin
Church (1-1) and a three-run homer by sophomore first baseman
Nick Salotti in the eighth to pull ahead. Senior leftfielder
Matt Cunningham led off the inning with a double before freshman
shortstop Andrew Garcia drew a walk. A groundout advanced
the runners to second and third and then sophomore centerfielder
Brett Bigler was walked to intentionally load the bases. Church
then walked junior rightfielder Aaron Grant to force in a
run. Matthew Couch relieved Church and, after giving up a
sacrific fly to junior third baseman Brian Steinmeyer, Salotti
sent the ball down the leftfield line and out for his second
homer of the year.
Salotti ended the day 1-for-5
with three RBI while Steinmeyer also drove in three, going
1-for-3.
San Diego's (6-4-1) pitchers
combined for ten walks that led to six UCR runs. The Highlanders,
on the other hand, got a solid outing from sophomore Taylor
Bills, who went 7 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on nine
hits and striking out seven. Senior pitcher Jose Shaw relieved
Bills in the eighth to pick up his first save.
The
series comes to a close on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Riverside
Sports Complex.
Box
Score
(Feb.
6, 2005) - San Diego scored seven unearned runs in the second
inning to take the three-game series against UC Riverside,
10-4, in front of 174 loyal fans Sunday afternoon.
With one out in the second and the Toreros leading 1-0, Ryan
Lilly reached and advanced to second on a throwing error by
UCR third baseman Brian Steinmeyer. Consecutive singles drove
in Lilly and the inning was extended when leftfielder Matt
Cunningham dropped a fly ball, loading the bases. A passed
ball made it 3-1 and Justin Snyder followed with a two-run
double to center, opening the floodgates for three more USD
runs in the inning, giving San Diego an 8-0 lead and ending
starter Haley Winter's (1-1) day. Winter did not give up an
earned run but was tagged for all eight of USD's tally in
his three innings of work
The
Toreros added another run in the fourth before UCR pulled
two back in the fifth. Another USD run in the eighth made
it 10-2 before the Highlander subs mounted a rally in the
eighth. Andrew Clay led off with a single off reliever Sean
Warlop, Aaron Wible was hit by a pitch, and Andrew Martinez
followed with an RBI double to left. A bunt single by Jaime
Pedroza drove in another run to make it 10-4 with no outs.
After a pitching change, Cunningham reached on an error, plating
another run, and soon it was 10-6 after Anthony Cordova’s
RBI double. Jeff Abney walked and Andrew Garcia made it 10-7
with a single, loading the bases still with no outs. That’s
where the UCR rally died, as Brett Bigler flew out to center,
Andrew Clay struck out, and Aaron Wible popped up to the second
baseman.
The
Toreros increased their lead with four runs in the top of
the ninth to put the game out of reach. Although UCR rallied
for two more runs in the bottom of the inning, it was too
little, too late.
Justin
Blaine (2-0) got the win for USD, allowing two runs (one earned)
on four hits in seven innings.
UCR
(3-3) travels to UCLA on Tuesday for a single game at 6 p.m.
The Highlanders return home for a three-game series against
Nevada starting Friday at 6 p.m.
Box
Score
(Feb.
8, 2005) - UCLA took advantage of five UCR errors to beat
UC Riverside 17-0 on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
The Highlanders fell to 3-4 on the season.
The Bruins (4-3) scored
15 runs in the first four innings to chase starter Pat Cassa
(0-2). UCR committed two errors in the first inning, leading
to three UCLA runs. The Bruins then pushed across four runs
in the second as Cassa lasted two innings, allowing four hits
and seven runs, although only two were earned. The offense
did not stop there, as UCLA scored six runs in the third and
two in the fourth to take a 15-0 lead.
The Highlanders could only
muster two hits against five UCLA pitchers. The Bruins committed
four errors but UCR could not take advantage. Dan Miltenberger
got the win.
UCR opens an eight-game
homestand with a three-game series this weekend against the
University of Nevada. The Highlanders and Wolfpack play Friday
at 6pm and at 1 pm Saturday and Sunday.
(Feb.
11, 2005) - The UC Riverside baseball team’s Friday
game against the University of Nevada has been postponed due
to rain. The teams will attempt to makeup the game as part
of a Saturday doubleheader, with the first game starting at
1 p.m.
Barring any further weather delays, the teams will conclude
the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.
(Feb.
12, 2005) - The UC Riverside Highlanders swept a non-conference
doubleheader from the visitin University of Nevada Saturday,
taking game one 6-1 behind
a two-hit complete game from freshman James Simmons, then
winning the seven-inning night cap, 3-2.
The doubleheader made up
for a Friday rainout. UCR improved to 5-4 overall, while Nevada
fell to 2-3.
Game
one starter Simmons (1-1) entered the game having failed to
last past the sixth inning of either of his two starts but
was locating his pitches all day, striking out nine. He did
not allow a hit through 6 1/3 innings and faced only one batter
over the minimum before giving up a one-out single to Jacob
Butler in the seventh. Ben Mummy followed with a single that
scored Butler but Simmons got out of the inning by getting
a double play in which he struck out Shawn Scobee and Mummy
was picked off first by junior catcher Jeff Abney for the
third out.
UCR took a 2-0 lead in the
second inning when senior leftfielder Matt Cunningham reached
on an error by shortstop Robert Marcial. He advanced to second
on a groundout and then scored on Abney's double to left.
A sacrifice bunt moved Abney to third and he came around on
a single up the middle by sophomore centerfielder Brett Bigler.
After the Wolfpack (2-2)
cut the lead to 2-1 in the seventh, the Highlanders gave Simmons
some support with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Junior
third baseman Brian Steinmeyer scored on freshman shortstop
Jaime Pedroza's squeeze bunt before junior rightfielder Aaron
Grant broke the game open with a two-run double to left. Sophomore
DH Nick Salotti added another run, hitting a triple to left
to drive in Grant.
Travis Sutton (0-1) took
the loss for the Wolfpack, allowing four runs (one earned)
in 6 2/3 innings.
In the nightcap, the WolfPack
touched UCR starter Taylor Bills for a single unearned run
in the second inning as Marcial's RBI double scored Ryan Sharman,
who had reached on a throwing error by Steinmeyer.
UCR took the lead in the
fourth as Andrew Garcia led off with a double and came around
on Salotti's third homer of the year, a towering drive that
the wind appeared to push towards the foul line and eventially
over the left field wall, giving the Highlanders a 2-1 lead.
But the Wolfpack tied the
game a half inning later as with one out Marcial reached on
a single that tagged Bills in the foot. Carlos Madrid followed
with an RBI double and the run came home when the relay throw
got away. Brett Hayes followed with a walk, putting runners
at first and second and UCR Head Coach Doug Smith replaced
Bills with freshman Adam Reifer. Reifer surrendered a single
to Butler to load the bases, but then got Mummy to foul out
to the first baseman and Scobee on an easy flyball to right
to end the threat.
The Highlanders scored the
go ahead run in the bottom of the sixth as Garcia walked and
advanced to second on a bunt by Grant. Salotti then singled
to right, putting runners on the corners with one away. Kyle
Barratt followed with a ground ball to third but Nevada 3B
Jacob Butler, who had just moved to the position from center
field at the start of the inning, went for the double play
and instead threw the ball into right field, allowing Garcia
to come around and score.
Reifer earned his first
collegiate win (1-0) with 2.2 innings of three hit relief.
Tim Schoeninger took the loss, throwing six innings and allowing
five hits and three earned runs.
The teams play the final
game of the series Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Box
Score
(Feb.
13, 2005) - UC Riverside’s late-inning rally fell short
as the Highlanders dropped Sunday’s game against the
University of Nevada, 7-5, at the Riverside Sports Complex.
The loss pushes UCR back to .500 at 5-5.
UCR’s
bats woke up in the late innings as they tried to recover
from a 5-0 deficit. After gaining just two hits in the first
seven innings, the Highlanders scored four times in the eighth.
Once again it was the substitutes who jump-started the rally
as Andrew Martinez led off with a single to center and Jeff
Dunbar followed with a single to left. Pinch-hitter Louie
Hernandez walked to load the bases with no outs. The rally
looked to die out when Brett Bigler’s fly ball to center
was too shallow for Martinez to tag and Andrew Garcia struck
out. Aaron Grant got UCR on the board with a double to right,
plating Dunbar and Martinez before Nevada brought in reliever
Steve Taylor. Taylor then gave up a double to Nick Salotti
that brought home two more runs to make it 5-4. But pinch-hitter
Brian Steinmeyer lined out to left to end the rally.
Nevada
(3-3) added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth, which
would prove valuable. Another throwing error, this time by
Steinmeyer at third, put Carlos Madrid at second and he scored
on Brett Hayes’ double. After moving to third on a flyout,
Hayes scored on reliever Jose Shaw’s wild pitch to give
the Wolfpack a three-run cushion, 7-4.
UCR
mustered a slight rally in the ninth, with doubles by Martinez
and Hernandez bringing in a run and sending the tying run
to the plate in Bigler. Bigler popped up to short to end the
game.
The
Wolfpack broke a scoreless tie in the third inning, taking
advantage of defensive miscues to score two unearned runs.
Eric Newman reached on a throwing error by UCR third baseman
Aaron Wible and took second on a sacrifice bunt by Robert
Marcial. Madrid followed with a single to left and Newman
scored on an infield groundout that advanced Madrid to second.
Madrid then came all the way around on a passed ball and a
balk.
Nevada
added two more runs in the fifth, both with two out. After
Marcial led off with a single, the Highlanders got two more
outs before Jacob Butler walked. Ben Mummy followed with a
double to right that brought in both Marcial and Butler. The
Wolfpack pushed across another run in the top of the eighth
on Shawn Scobee’s solo home run off Shawl.
Haley
Winter (1-2) took the loss, going 6 2/3 innings, allowing
six hits and four runs but only two earned. He also walked
three and struck out two. Ryan Rodriguez (1-1) got the win,
throwing seven innings of shutout, two-hit ball. Taylor earned
his first save in 1 1/3 innings of work.
UCR hosts the University of British Columbia on Tuesday at
3 p.m. in an exhibition game. Admission is free. The Highlanders
then welcome Cal State Northridge for a three-game weekend
series starting Friday at 6 p.m.
(Feb.
14, 2005) - UC Riverside freshman James Simmons was named
the Big West Conference’s Pitcher of the Week for the
week of February 7-13, it was announced Monday. Simmons was
1-0 in his one start, gaining the win in UCR’s 6-1 victory
over the University of Nevada on Saturday.
Making
just his third career start, Simmons took a no-hitter into
the seventh inning, ending up with a complete-game two-hitter
for his first collegiate victory. The righthander faced just
two batters over the minimum, striking out a career-high nine
and walking one. He struck out five of the first eight batters
he face and retired eleven in a row during one stretch.
Simmons
is the first Highlander to earn conference pitcher of the
week honors since Julio Fernandez was selected April 5, 2003.
UCR
has won two of its last three to sit at 5-5 in the early going
of the 2005 season. The Highlanders play an exhibition game
against the University of British Columbia on Tuesday at 3
p.m. and then host a three-game series versus Cal State Northridge
this weekend. The series starts Friday at 6 p.m., continues
Saturday at 6 p.m., and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. Please
note the time change for Saturday’s game from 1 p.m.
to 6 p.m.
Box
Score
(Feb.
15, 2005) - Senior Matt Cunningham drove in two runs with
a solo homer and sacrifice fly and five pitchers combined
for a three-hitter as UC Riverside defeated the University
of British Columbia 3-0 in an exhibition game Tuesday at the
Riverside Sports Complex.
In
a game dominated by pitching, UCR got on the board in the
fourth inning when junior Andrew Martinez singled home freshman
Andrew Garcia from second. Garcia had led off the inning with
a walk and advanced to second on an error by UBC’s Davey
Wallace.
Cunningham
provided an insurance run in the sixth, muscling an inside
pitch off the top of the wall in left-center that bounced
over for a home run. Martinez, who was 3-for-3 on the day,
followed with a double into the right-centerfield gap but
was gunned down trying to take third.
UCR
added one more run in the eighth when Cunningham’s fly
ball was deep enough to score sophomore Brett Bigler, who
had opened the inning with a walk. Bigler then stole second
and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt.
Head
Coach Doug Smith had determined before the game to give his
bullpen lots of work and so threw five pitchers. Junior Matt
Millett threw the first three innings, allowing one hit. Junior
Chad Decker relieved, going one inning and giving up one hit
to gain the win. Sophomore Marc Rzepczynski pitched perfect
fifth and sixth innings before freshman Dan Runzler relieved
for the seventh and eighth. Runzler gave up one hit and struck
out four of the eight batters he faced. Freshman Ryan McKibben
threw a perfect ninth for the save.
UBC’s
Brad Ashman took the loss, throwing six innings and allowing
two runs (one earned) on six hits.
UCR
resumes play with a weekend non-conference series against
Cal State Northridge. The Highlanders and Matadors open on
Friday with a 6 p.m. game at the Sports Complex.
(Feb.
18, 2005) - The UC Riverside baseball team’s Friday
game against Cal State Northridge has been postponed due to
rain. The teams will attempt to makeup the game on Sunday
as part of a doubleheader, with the first game starting at
1 p.m. Barring any further weather delays, Saturday's 6 p.m.
contest will proceed as scheduled.
(Feb.
19, 2005) - For the second straight day, UC Riverside's baseball
game against Cal State Northridge has been postponed. Weather
permitting, the teams will attempt to play a doubleheader
Sunday with the first game
starting at 1 p.m. No makeup date for the third game
has been scheduled.
Box
Score
(Feb.
20, 2005) - After two straight days of rainouts, the UC Riverside
Highlanders and the Cal State Northridge Matadors finally
saw the field Sunday at the Riverside Sports Complex.
A doubleheader was originally scheduled but after Northridge
won game one 7-4, the second game was rained out. No makeup
date has been announced.
In game one, UCR loaded
the bases in the second but Craig Baker (2-0) induced Brett
Bigler to groundout to short to end the inning. CSUN responded
the next inning, scoring four runs in the top of the third.
With the bases loaded, Jeff Tezak hit a bloop to left to score
a run. Leftfielder Matt Cunningham charged the ball but threw
it away trying to get Alberto Quintana at third, allowing
Quintana to come home. The Matadors added two more runs that
inning on RBI groundouts. They pushed across two more runs
in the fourth when shortstop Andrew Garcia bobbled Luke Riordan's
grounder and threw the ball in the dugout. Riordan then scored
on Voita's single and Voita came around on Quintana's double
to leftcenter.
With rain falling in the
eighth inning, UCR mounted a mini-rally, scoring four runs.
Cunningham led off the inning with a solo home run to left
before third baseman Brian Steinmeyer walked with one out
to chase Baker. Second baseman Kyle Barratt followed with
a double down the leftfield line off reliever Kyle Jean and
pinch-hitter Andrew Martinez drove them both in with a flare
to left. Bigler then reached on a bunt single and pinch-hitter
Aaron Wible loaded the bases with a single. Martinez came
in on a wild pitch but the rally fell short when rightfielder
Aaron Grant struck out and first baseman Nick Salotti flew
out to center.
Taylor Bills (2-1) took
the loss, allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight hits
in five innings. Baker went 7 1/3, giving up seven hits and
two runs. Peter Eberhardt pitched a perfect ninth for his
second save.
UCR (5-6) hosts UCLA on
Tuesday at 6 p.m. before traveling to face #10 Arizona this
weekend in Tucson.
(Feb.
22, 2005) - The UC Riverside baseball team’s Tuesday
game against UCLA has been postponed due to wet field conditions.
The game has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 24 at 6 p.m.
at the Riverside Sports Complex.
UCR
has also rescheduled the two games against Cal State Northridge
that were rained out over the weekend.The
Highlanders and Matadors will play Tuesday, May 3, and Tuesday,
May 17, with both contests starting at 3 p.m. at the Riverside
Sports Complex.
Box
Score
(Feb. 25, 2005) - UC Riverside's
first game in 2005 against a ranked opponent was a rollercoaster
affair, as the Highlanders outslugged #9 Arizona 12-8 Friday
evening at Jerry Kindall Field in Tucson. UCR improved to
6-6 in handing the Wildcats just their second loss of the
season and first defeat at home.
UCR
looked like the ranked team early, taking a 7-0 lead after
4 1/2 innings. Sophomore Kyle Barratt led off the third with
a solo home run, his second of the year. Junior Anthony Claggett
followed with a single, was moved to second by sophomore Brett
Bigler's sacrifice bunt, and scored on junior Jeff Abney's
single to center. Sophomore Nick Salotti kept the inning alive
with a single and Abney came home on junior Aaron Grant's
double. Salotti put UCR ahead 4-0 by scoring on junior Andrew
Martinez's RBI groundout.
The Highlanders added to
their tally in the fourh when Bigler tripled in Barratt and
then scored on a wild pitch. UCR made it 7-0 an inning later
and knocked out Wildcat starter John Meloan on senior Matt
Cunningham's sacrifice fly.
Arizona (10-2) began its
comeback in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs with
two outs. With runners on second and third, UCR freshman starter
James Simmons threw a wild pitch to score the first run. UCR
should have gotten out of the inning that same at bat when
Jeff Van Houten grounded to Claggett at short but Claggett's
throw to first was off the mark, prolonging the inning and
allowing another run to score. A single, a balk, and another
single made it 7-4 and ended Simmons' outing. Freshman Adam
Reifer relieved and got out of the inning.
The Wildcats took the lead
in the sixth by scoring four more runs. Two singles put runners
on first and second with one out when a bizarre sequence of
events happened. Chris Frey popped up to Barratt at second,
who then threw the ball away, allowing the runners to move
up two bases each. A single by Van Houten made it 7-6 and
Pat Cassa replaced Reifer. Cassa proceeded to give up a two-run
home run to the first batter he faced, Jordan Brown, as Arizona
went ahead 8-7.
UCR bounced back with three
runs in the top of the seventh. Grant led off with a walk
and, after a pitching change, Martinez reached on a bunt single.
Cunningham followed with an RBI single to right and junior
Brian Steinmeyer moved up the runners with a sacrifice bunt.
Barratt was intentionally walked to load the bases and the
Wildcats brought in Mark Melancon to face Claggett. Claggett
responeded with a long sacrifice fly to right that scored
Martinez and moved the runners over. A wild pitch brought
Cunningham home to give UCR a 10-8 lead. The Highlanders added
two more insurance runs in the eighth.
UCR (6-6) pounded out 15
hits on the day, with Salotti and Grant collecting three each.
The 3-6 hitters for the Highlanders went 10-for-19 at the
plate with five RBI. Cassa earned the win to improve to 1-2
on the season. He settled down after allowing the home run,
pitching 3 1/3 innings and allowing one run on four hits.
Sean Jarrett took the loss for Arizona, dropping him to 1-1
after giving up two runs in 1/3 innings.
The win snapped a four-game
losing streak for UCR at the hands of Arizona. The Wildcats
and Highlanders play again Saturday at 1 p.m. MST (noon PST).
Box
Score
(Feb.
26, 2005) - UC Riverside clinched the weekend series against
#9 Arizona, beating the Wildcats 3-1 in Tucson behind a complete
game five-hitter by Haley Winter. The Highlanders won their
second straight game and improved to 7-6 this year.
After combining for 29 hits and 20 runs in Friday’s
opener, Saturday’s game was more of a pitching duel
between Winter and Kevin Guyette. Both went the distance but
it was Winter who got the better run support. UCR took an
early 1-0 lead in the second inning on a RBI double by Kyle
Barratt that plated Matt Cunningham from second.
UA’s
Jason Donald set the Wildcats up for an opportunity to tie
the game in the home half of the frame with a leadoff triple
to the gap in right center. Winter worked out of the jam by
getting Bill Rhinehart and Chris Frey to pop up to the infield
and inducing Drew McDonald into an inning-ending fly ball
to center
The
Wildcats never really threatened again until the ninth, while
UCR tacked on two more runs in the sixth on Brian Steinmeyer’s
RBI-single and a first and third double steal for a 3-0 lead.
Winter
(2-2) held the Wildcats in check all day, limiting UA to just
three hits through the first eight innings, and narrowly missed
out on holding the Wildcats scoreless in a game for the second
time this season. He struck out three and walked just one,
while coming one out shy of shutting out the vaunted Arizona
offense, giving up UA’s lone run with two outs in the
ninth inning.
Guyette
(2-1) was the hard luck loser, giving up three runs on seven
hits in his second career complete game effort. He struck
out at least one Highlander hitter in every inning, including
the side in the fifth, for a team season-high 15 punchouts.
Jordan
Brown saved the Wildcats from the shutout loss when he came
around to score on Rhinehart’s two-out single two batters
latter.
The
teams complete the three-game series Sunday at Kindall Field.
Game time is noon MST, 11 a.m. PST.
Box
Score
(Feb. 27, 2005) - UC Riverside
dropped the series finale at #9 Arizona, 5-4, Sunday at Kindall
Field. The Highlanders took the first two games but fall to
7-7 on the season.
UCR fought back from a 5-0
deficit to almost tie the game in the top of the ninth. Trailing
5-4 and with Brett Bigler on first with two outs, Nick Salotti
singled with a slow roller to second. Running on the pitch,
Bigler tried to score from first but shortstop Jason Donald
nailed Bigler at the plate to end the game.
The Wildcats (11-3) bounced
back from losses in the first two games by jumping on top
early, singling in their first four at bats of the game. UA
scored four runs in the first inning thanks to a three-run
home run by Jordan Brown off of Taylor Bills (2-2). Arizona
added another run in the second on a single, wild pitch, and
consecutive groundouts.
UCR began its comeback in
the fourth inning when Salotti hit a two-run homer to make
it 5-2. An RBI single by Bigler in the fifth brough the Highlanders
within two and Kyle Barratt scored on an error in the seventh
to make it a one-run game.
Bills went all eight innings,
allowing five runs on ten hits. Sean Rierson improved to 2-0
for the Wildcats, tossing 5 1/3 innings and giving up three
runs on four hits. Mark Melancon earned his second save, throwing
the last 2 1/3 innings.
UCR continues its seven-game
road trip with a visit to USC on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
2004-05
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