Welcome back to the Baseball Roundup! In the third week of CCAA play, the Monterey Bay State Otters came to Turlock to face the Warriors. This is a crucial series in the season as Stan State hopes to keep their long streak of not losing a series alive. Let’s go!
Where the Warriors Stand
Last week, the Warriors were the #19 ranked Division II baseball team in the country. After traveling to Hayward to play a strong East Bay squad, the Warriors escaped with a 2-2 series split. Although the Warriors’ record dropped to 11-3 (5-3 CCAA), they only dropped one spot in the national rankings. The Warriors are looking to regain some momentum this weekend when the struggling Monterey Bay State Otters come to town.
Friday, February 28
In the series opener, undefeated Stan State ace Rylan Tinsley was handed the ball to try and set the tone for the weekend series against the Otters. His 1.55 ERA is one of the best in CCAA play, and after Friday’s performance, it was even lower.
Tinsley tossed seven shutout innings while racking up seven strikeouts and only allowing three hits on the night to improve his record to 5-0 and lower his ERA to an incredible 1.25. The 1.25 ERA is the second best in CCAA play. It’s important to note that he has thrown 20 more innings than the current league ERA leader.
The Warriors got on the board early and never looked back. Third baseman Dylon Jackson led the way, picking up two RBI’s as part of Stan State’s three-run first inning. The game was blown wide open after a five run seventh inning.
After it was all said and done, Jackson collected four hits and three RBI’s to help the Warriors defeat the Otters by a score of 9-0.
Saturday, February 29
Doubleheader Game #1
In Saturday’s first game, the Warrior coaching staff a slight change to the pitching rotation. Instead of Tyler Myer being handed the ball for the second game of the series, Casey Carr was given the start. The change was very beneficial for Carr as he proceeded to toss 5 2/3 1-run innings with six strikeouts.
Stan State second baseman Alexis Paz helped Carr’s cause as he delivered an RBI single in the third to start the scoring. Paz also caused a ruckus for Monterrey defenders as his hard ground ball in the fifth ate up Otters shortstop Brady Miguel, allowing two more runs to score. Paz’s impact didn’t stop with his bat, though. After reaching on that error, Paz found himself in a rundown, distracting Otter defenders and allowing Jayce Gardner to score from third, making the score 5-0.
Unfortunately, after Carr’s departure from the game, the Warrior bullpen struggled mightily. After several walks and hits, the Otters were able to score seven unanswered runs in the last 3 1/3 innings. The Warriors threatened to make a comeback in the seventh and eight, but were unsuccessful. Final score was 7-5 in favor of Monterrey Bay State.
Doubleheader Game #2
In the doubleheader’s second game, the Warriors continued their trend of scoring first as they brought across runs in the first inning thanks to a couple sac-flies and an RBI single from Matt Elser.
Tyler Meyer pitched four strong innings before finding himself in trouble in the fifth. Meyer gave up an RBI triple to Monterey Bay’s Kokko Figueredo. Figueredo would score after a Stan State error and ended Myer’s otherwise great night on a sour note. The Warrior bullpen would go on to allow two additional runs to cross the plate in the long inning.
The Otters would add a run in the sixth, as well while the Warriors were unable to grab any runs for the remainder of the game. The final score was 5-3, Otters win.
Sunday, March 1
For the first time in the 2020 campaign, the Warriors came off consecutive losses. To try to end the losing streak, Stan State head baseball coach Kenny Leonesio handed the ball to Blake Jantz. Sunday’s start was Jantz’s second of 2020, and it was not one to remember.
Jantz was unable to escape the second inning after giving up seven runs on seven hits. Stan State relievers combined to only allow two additional runs after Jantz’s quick departure. Unfortunately, the early lead was too large for the Warriors to overcome.
The only bright spot for the Warrior offense was Zach Jones’ RBI single in the third to score shortstop Trevor McInerney. This was McInerney’s first start of the season, and he took advantage of the opportunity by getting two hits on the day. The final score was 9-1, Otters.
Sunday’s loss was the third straight loss for Stan State and gave them their first series loss of the season. After the tough weekend, the Warriors’ record dropped to 12-6 (6-6 CCAA). They will try to bounce back against California State Los Angeles next weekend here in Turlock.