McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Scoring multiple runs
in each of the first four innings, the Pomona-Pitzer Colleges
Sagehens jumped out to a big early lead and cruised to a 12-6
decision over the University of Texas-Tyler Patriots in the third
and final game on the first day of action in the NCAA Division III
Baseball McMinnville (West) Regional Wednesday here at Roy Helser
Field.
Texas-Tyler starter Matt Sparks (7-3) did not retire a batter as
he walked the Sagehens' Mike Moyer and Nick Gentili to start
the bottom of the first, gave up an RBI single to James Kang, and
walked Nick Frederick to fill the bases. Clint Sharp relieved
and gave up an RBI single to Erik Munzer, a sacrifice fly to Teddy
Bingham, a walk to Kyle Pokorny, and a two-run double to James
Brunswick as Pomona took a 5-0 lead.
The Sagehens continued to build their lead with two runs in both
the second and third innings and three more in the fourth.
The Patriots tried to chip away against Pomona starter David Colvin
(10-3), scoring twice in both the third and fifth innings and once
in the fourth, but could never mount a serious threat against the
Sagehens' ace, who struck out six and walked three in six
innings of work. Only two of the five runs he allowed were
earned, one of them an opposite-field solo home run to left by
Tyler Clakley, his eighth of the season, in the fourth.
Dustin Wyble, normally an outfielder who had appeared in only
three games as a pitcher, came on in the fourth for the Patriots
and shut out the Sagehens over three and two-thirds innings, but
the damage had already been done.
Pomona collected 11 hits in the game, led by Frederick, who was
3-for-4 with two doubles. Brunswick had two hits and drove in
three, Kang had two hitswith three runs scored and two RBI, and
Moyer had two hits and two runs. Aaron McCain and T.J. Martin
had two hits apiece for Texas-Tyler.
Pomona-Pitzer, the No. 3 seed in the regional, improved to 30-9
on the season while Texas-Tyler, the No. 4 seed, dropped to
35-11. The Patriots will play No. 1 seed Chapman University
(31-9) Thursday at 3:30 p.m. The Sagehens will take on No. 2
seed and host Linfield (31-10) Thursday at 7:00 p.m. At
12:00, Trinity University (32-8) and Mississippi College (36-10)
will meet in an elimination game.
- Courtesy of the Linfield Sports
Information Department
