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Tigers Fall, 11-7, in Season Opener
Feb. 2, 2007
Stockton, Calif. - In a game that featured two six-run innings, Pacific fell to Cal State Northridge, 11-7, in the 2007 season opener on Friday, Feb. 2. The loss moved Pacific to 0-1 on the season, while Cal State Northridge moved to 3-1 overall. The Matadors opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning as Cal State Northridge put four of the first five hitters on base. Pacific freshman David Rowse (Pleasanton, Calif.) settled down after the first inning, as he did not allow a run through the next four, allowing the Pacific offense an opportunity to get going. The Tigers did just that in the bottom of the third as Pacific scored six runs on six hits and an error to take a 6-2 lead. With one out in the inning, freshman Josh Powers (Elk Grove, Calif.) was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Adam Ching (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) followed with a single up the middle to put runners at first and second. The next batter, sophomore Joe Oliveira (San Diego, Calif.) blasted a two-run triple into right-center to tie the game at 2-2. Oliveira scored on an RBI groundout from sophomore Zach Chamberlin (San Rafael, Calif.). With two-outs in the inning, junior Justin Baum (La Mesa, Calif.) re-ignited the Pacific offense on a double down the right field line. Junior Mike Walker (Marysville, Calif.) followed with a run-scoring double to make it 4-2, then junior Greg Murray (El Cerrito, Calif.) plated Walker with a single to left to chase home Walker and give the Tigers a 5-2 edge. Murray took second on the throw to the plate, allowing junior Brett Manning (Boulder, Colo.) to cap the inning for Pacific with an RBI single though the right side to make it a 6-2 game.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, Cal State Northridge answered with a six-run inning of their own in the top of the sixth as the Matadors chased Rowse with six runs on six hits. Cal State Northridge added two insurance runs in the seventh and one in the eighth, before the Tigers scored a run in the bottom of the eighth to pull within four but Pacific left the bases loaded as the potential tying run, Oliveira, was retired on a sharp ground ball to short. Rowse (0-1) suffered the loss for the Tigers as he allowed eight runs on 12 hits and three walks in 5.2 innings. Cal State Northridge's Eric Billings (1-0) picked up the win with two innings of scoreless relief. Oliveira led the Tigers offensively with two hits, two walks and two RBI. The Tigers and Matadors will continue their three-game non-conference series on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. |
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