SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino baseball team defeated the San Francisco State Gators 9-8 in 10 innings on Friday afternoon at Fiscalini Field.
With the win, the Coyotes improved to 11-4 overall and 3-2 in CCAA play.
San Francisco State took an early lead with a solo home run to right field in the top of the first. The Coyotes answered in the bottom of the inning when junior Dom Dominguez (Victorville, Calif.) drove in a run with an RBI single. The Gators regained the lead with another solo shot in the top of the second, this time to left field. SFSU would hit three solo home runs in the first five innings, taking a 4-1 advantage into the bottom of the fifth.
CSUSB responded in the fifth when junior Greg Luna (Moreno Valley, Calif.) led off with a single. A few batters later, senior Jason Shedlock (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) drove him home with an RBI single, cutting the Gators' lead to 4-2.
The Coyotes then took control in the bottom of the seventh. After back-to-back singles to open the inning, Benji Solano (Chula Vista, Calif.) advanced the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. A walk to Shedlock loaded the bases for senior Wyatt Hall (Port Angeles, Wash.), who hit a grand slam to center field, giving CSUSB a 6-4 lead. The Coyotes added two more runs, extending their advantage to 8-4 heading into the top of the ninth.
San Francisco State refused to go down without a fight. The Gators scored two runs in the ninth before a pitching change. After grounding into a double play, SFSU tied the game with a two-run home run. Despite loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth, the Coyotes were unable to capitalize, sending the game into extra innings.
In the top of the tenth, the Gators recorded a hit but failed to score. With one out in the bottom of the tenth, sophomore Eric Aguayo (Riverside, Calif.) singled to shortstop. On the next at-bat, graduate student Daryl Ruiz (Corona, Calif.) hit a walk-off double, securing the victory for the Coyotes.
Shedlock, Ruiz, and Luna all had two hits for the Coyotes in the win, while junior
Josh VerKuilen (Glendora, Calif.) was credited with the win after throwing a scoreless top of the 10th.
Up next, CSUSB continues their series against San Francisco State tomorrow with a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is slated for noon.
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