NCAA D-II World Series Bracket (PDF)
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Just a base hit was all that was needed to keep Cal Poly Pomona in the ballgame, but
Jacob Bernardy did so much more. Bernardy sent the first homerun of his career clear out of Totman Stadium and with it came four RBIs. His grand slam put the Broncos on top 7-6, a lead that the CPP team would hold as it clinched its second-consecutive NCAA West Region Title and trip to Cary, N.C.
The win improves the Broncos to a 40-17 record on the season while Cal Baptist finished its season at 42-13. As they take the trip to Cary, N.C., for the NCAA Division II Championship Series, the Broncos are first set to play the Midwest Region champion Southern Indiana. The Broncos' contest with USI is set for 4 p.m. Pacific (7 p.m. Eastern) on Saturday, May 28. All of CPP's World Series games will be aired at the Bronco Student Center and on campus cable channel 32.
To view the Facebook photo gallery of Monday's West Region title game,
click here.
In the bottom of the third inning Monday in Riverside, the host and No. 1 seeded Lancers recorded five runs, a pair of homers and a single sparked their offense for three runs before a single out was recorded. Later in the inning, a sacrifice fly and a throwing error by the Broncos' catcher allowed runs No. 4 and No. 5 to score.
In the third inning, CPP answered with a run of its own.
Caleb Romo singled through the left side and that allowed for
Jared James to make his way home. James had doubled to left field in his at-bat and then moved over on a groundout from
Chris Stratton.
The final line on the CPP starter
Tyler Rowe was 3.2 innings pitched, five earned runs allowed on five hits added to a pair each of strikeouts and walks. He exited the game trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth.
Romo reduced the Broncos' deficit in the fifth as he sent homerun No. 10 on the season careening over the left field fence. His shot pulled the Broncos just three back in the game as they trailed just 5-2. The homerun was his second of the tournament and increased his RBI tally to 44 on the year.
Replacing Rowe on the bump was
Wyatt Shackleford. The sophomore dealt for two innings, scattering four hits and surrendering one run that came on a single to center field with runners at second and third. The Dana Point native also tallied a trio of strikeouts.
The top of the eighth came with the CPP team registering a five-run inning of their own. The first run came as
Ryan Webberley hits a sacrifice fly to right field and scored
Jason Padlo. Then, with
Michael Zidek,
Cody Martin and
Nic Hernandez on base, Bernardy cranked his grand slam over the left field fence to put the Green and Gold up 7-6.
Coming in on the mound and earning the win was
Peter Beattie, the victory improved him to a 6-1 record on the season.
Ryan Alsworth locked in his seventh save of the season as he held the game at 7-6 from the mound.
2016 NCAA Division II All-West Regional Team
Catcher: Mark Sanchez (CBU)
First Base: Samuel Hall (Dixie State)
Second Base:
Chris Stratton (Cal Poly Pomona)
Shortstop:
Ryan Webberley (Cal Poly Pomona)
Third Base:
Jason Padlo (Cal Poly Pomona)
Outfield: Ryan Williams (CBU)
Outfield:
Jacob Bernardy (Cal Poly Pomona)
Outfield: A.J. David (CBU)
Designated Hitter: Bryce Macy (CBU)
Pitcher:
Ryan Alsworth (Cal Poly Pomona)
Pitcher:
Max Bethell (Cal Poly Pomona)
