Bearkats 4- Highlanders 3
Anthony Azar’s game-winning single in the bottom of the eight innings helped the Bearkats defeated the University of California-Riverside Highlanders by the score of 4-3 and to take 2 out 3 in the series.
The win gave the Bearkats an overall record of 6-5 for the season.
“I wanted to get any pitch that was around the zone that I could get a good swing on and just put the ball in play and get the run in,” Azar said.
The Highlanders had an opportunity to score in the top of the second inning when Bart Stephonovich drew a base on ball with two outs. However, Stephonovich was thrown out at second by Bearkat catcher Azar to end the threat
The Bearkats capitalized on that mistake and struck first in the bottom of the second inning when Kevin Miller hit a single up the middle that allowed Azar to score from second that made the score 1-0. Azar led off the inning with a double.
Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI single in the bottom of the third increased the Bearkat lead to 2-0. Colt Atwood reached first on a fielder’s choice and stole second base.
The Highlanders scored their first run in the top of the fourth inning to cut the Bearkat lead to 2-1 on a RBI single by Jake Gallaway that allowed Vince Gonzalez to score. Gonzalez walked in the top of the inning with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch by starting pitcher Caleb Smith. He reached third on a single by Cody Hough.
They scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning to take the lead by the score of 3-2 on a RBI ground out by Eddie Young and a RBI single by Cody Hough. tunity to tie it in the top of the fifth when Bolasky led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a double by Phil Holinsworth.
The Bearkats tied it at 3 on a RBI ground out by O’Hearn that scored Corey Toups. Toups led off the bottom of the fifth with a walk and advanced to second on a bunt single by Atwood. A bunt single by Luke Plucheck loaded the bases.
The Highlanders had an opportunity to take the lead in the top of the seventh inning when
Clayton Prestridge singled in the top of the seventh inning with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch by reliever Michael Oros. Young walked to make it first and second. Gonzalez grounded into a double play to end the threat.
Plucheck led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a triple and scored the eventual game-winning run on Azar’s single with one out in the inning.
The highlight of the game came in the top of the ninth inning when Plucheck made a diving catch to rob pinch hitter Nick Vilter of a possible double and ended the hopes of the Highlanders from starting a rally in order to tie the game.
“I felt that I had a chance to get it, so I called for it,” Plucheck said. “When a pitcher is giving his all to win, the position players have to come through for him sometimes and I was just glad I was able to do that.”
He (Plucheck) got a lot of speed,” head coach David Pierce said. “He basically outranned the ball and timed his jump. He really save the day.”
Reliever Michael Oros went two innings and got the win. He struck out two batters and gave up a hit.
Highlander starting pitcher Trevor Frank pitched seven inning and suffered the loss. He gave up four runs on seven hits and struck out seven.
Smith went four and two-third innings for the Bearkats and got the no-decision. He struck out eight batters and gave up three runs on five hits.
The loss give the Highlanders an overall record of 4-6.
The Bearkats next game will be on Tuesday as they host Houston Baptist Huskies at Don Sanders Stadium. Game time is at 6:30 p.m.
Here is Plucheck’s catch that saved a double in the top of the ninth inning called by Derek Martin of the Bearkats Sports Network:
