Box Score: Coyotes 14, UC San Diego 4

SAN BERNARDINO – One day after Paul Eshleman delivered a game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth, the Yucaipa native came through again.

Eshleman connected on a grand slam and teammate Edwin Mendoza launched a two-run home run as the Coyotes handed league-leading UC San Diego a 14-4 decision on Friday at Fiscalini Field.

The Coyotes (22-13 overall, 19-11 CCAA), who have won 16 of their last 21 games, climbed within one game of the Tritons, who lead at 22-12 in the CCAA. The series now moves to UC San Diego (24-18 overall) on Saturday with a doubleheader that begins at 12 p.m.

The Coyotes took control with a four-run third inning. After Mendoza scored on a balk, the Coyotes scored three straight on an RBI-double from Brandon Day, and run-scoring singles
from Darren Dworak and Eshleman, respectively.

Then in the fourth, the Coyotes loaded the bases with Mike Newell (single), Ethan Chapman (single) and Day, who was intentionally walked. Dworak earned an RBI with a walk and that brought up Eshleman, who crushed a shot to left center that cleared the bases and CSUSB led 9-0.

The Tritons earned runs in the fifth and seventh, before CSUSB got two in the seventh from Mendoza, who club a shot to right center.

Eshleman later added an RBI-double in the eighth to key a three-run, four-hit inning.

At the plate, Eshleman went 4-for-5 with six RBI, while Mendoza had three RBI on two hits. Chapman, Day, Dworak, Alex Gutierrez and Newell all had two hits to key the 16-hit attack.

On the mound, junior LHP Mike Mudron improved his perfect record to 6-0. He threw seven innings, struck out nine and walked just three. Both runs allowed were earned.

The Tritons' Danny Susdorf led with three hits.