SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino baseball team swept their doubleheader against the Sonoma State Seawolves on Saturday afternoon at Fiscalini Field.
The Coyotes won game one by an 8-6 final, before taking game two 7-1.
With the sweep, the Coyotes are now 17-7 with a 9-5 record in CCAA play.
Game 1: CSUSB 8, Sonoma State 6
CSUSB took the lead in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly by senior Jacob Mejia (Palm Desert, Calif.), but Sonoma scored in the second, third, and fourth innings to take a 4-1 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, graduate student Daryl Ruiz (Corona, Calif.) led off with a solo home run to center field. Two batters later, junior Jeremy Giesegh (Upland, Calif.) hit a two-run homer, tying the game at 4-4.
Sonoma State regained a 5-4 lead in the top of the fifth. However, CSUSB answered in the bottom of the inning with a two-RBI double by junior Dom Dominguez (Victorville, Calif.), giving the Coyotes a 6-5 advantage.
In the bottom of the eighth, CSUSB added a pair of insurance runs with a pinch-hit two-run homer by senior Adrian Hinojosa Jr. (Chula Vista, Calif.). Sonoma State hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth, but it wasn't enough, as CSUSB held on for the 8-6 victory.
On the mound, junior Josh VerKuilen (Glendora, Calif.) earned the win after tossing five solid innings of relief. He allowed just three hits and one run, striking out four without issuing a walk.
Game 2: CSUSB 7, Sonoma State 1
CSUSB jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ruiz drove in the first run of the game with a bases-loaded walk, followed by a Mejia RBI single and a run-scoring groundout.
The score remained 3-0 until the bottom of the fourth, when the Coyotes added another run. Freshman Noah Betanco (Eastlake, Calif.) led off the inning with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jason Shedlock (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.).
CSUSB added three more runs in the bottom of the eighth. Hinojosa and freshman Keedan Nadeau (Highland, Calif.) each hit bases-loaded singles, driving in a run apiece. Senior Tyler Vanneste (Warman, Saskatchewan) followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in the Coyotes' final run of the game.
Sonoma State hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth, but the score ended at 7-1 in favor of CSUSB.
On the mound, senior Dylan O'Connor (Tacoma, Wash.) threw seven shutout innings, striking out 10 batters while allowing just four hits.
Up next, the Coyotes conclude their series against Sonoma State with a doubleheader tomorrow. First pitch of Game 1 is slated for 11 a.m.
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