NCAA Championships: Live Video | Bracket
CARY, N.C. – Cal Poly Pomona does not quit.
Once again, the Broncos were down to their final out.
Cody Martin provided the game-tying hit in the ninth and then to cap it off,
Jason Padlo delivered a one-out walk-off hit in the bottom of the 10th to lift CPP to the 2-1 comeback victory over Southern Indiana.
For those counting at home, that's two walk-off wins in the past three games. The other contest featured the now famous eighth-inning grand slam to help capture the West Region title on Monday.
The Broncos collected 12 hits in Saturday's victory and freshman
Nic Hernandez led the team with a 3-for-4 performance. The CPP pitching staff worked out of jams throughout the game, allowing seven hits but just one run from the Screaming Eagles (37-20). Up next, the Broncos (41-17) will take on No. 1-ranked Millersville (51-5) on Monday at 2 p.m. Pacific (5 p.m. Eastern). The press conference after Saturday's game can be
viewed here.
Saturday's game between CPP and Southern Indiana included a dynamic pitching duel.
All-American and junior righthander
Michael Koval started off strong for CPP, striking out the first two USI hitters. After committing a throwing error on the next play, Koval managed to get the final out of the first inning and keep the game scoreless.
In the top of the 3rd with a full count, two outs and a runner on base for the Screaming Eagles, Koval picked up his third strikeout to get out of another jam.
CPP's leadoff hitter reached base in the bottom of the 3rd when
Cody Martin worked a walk. He was caught in a double play though when
Jacob Bernardy popped out. The Broncos' rally restarted with a walk to
Jared James, which was followed by a
Chris Stratton single. USI starter Colin Nowak induced a popup from
Caleb Romo though, stranding two CPP runners.
The Broncos put together another rally in the bottom of the fourth but ended up leaving two more runners on base. The Screaming Eagles managed to get a runner in scoring position for the first time in the top of the 5th but Koval used two more strikeouts to get out of the inning unscathed.
USI put the game's first run on the board in the top of the eight. Kyle Niemeier worked a one-out walk and then after
Ryan Alsworth stepped in for CPP in relief. Niemeier proceeded to steal second and then advanced to third on a fly out. Ryan Bertram's double past the third baseman put the Screaming Eagles ahead 1-0.
For the Broncos in the bottom of the eighth, James knocked a one-out double down the line but was stranded as
Caleb Romo drove a flyout to the warning track to end the inning.
CPP put its two first hitters on base in the bottom of the ninth, forcing a pitching change from USI. The Screaming Eagles put two outs on the board without the Broncos' runners moving along but a single through the left side from
Cody Martin allowed
Jason Padlo to slide in safely and tie the game while the CPP dugout emptied out in celebration.
The celebration would only be suspended for a few minutes as the Broncos put together the game-winning rally in the bottom of the 10th. James led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Stratton. After USI walked Romo intentially, Paldo drove in the winning run with a single up the middle that sent James in to score.
The Sunday game schedule in Cary will be empty as stormy weather is expected. The next matchups are set to start on Monday.
NOTES: The 41 wins is tied for the fourth-most in program history... Leftfielder
Jared James has now reached base in 53 of the 56 games this year, including each of the last 24 contests... Reliever
Ryan Alsworth has thrown 8.1-consecutive shutout innings...
Jason Padlo is now 12-for-20 in NCAA Tournament games this season.
