POMONA -- Brennan McKenzie went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored as the Cal Poly Pomona baseball team rallied for a come-from-behind victory for the second straight night, a 7-6 triumph over Cal State LA Saturday night at Scolinos Field in Pomona.
The Broncos have won four straight, rising to 6-4 overall and 4-2 in the CCAA. The Golden Eagles fall to 4-6 (3-3 CCAA).
Cameron Mabee got the start on the mound for CPP and was unable to get into much of a rhythm because of a leadoff single along with a double to score the run in the first inning giving LA a 1-0 lead. Mabee was able to get out of the inning without any more damage. While the Broncos were able to get a baserunner via a
Cesar Lopez single they were unable to bring Lopez home so the score remained 1-0 going into the second.
LA was able to jump on Mabee again in the second inning with a leadoff triple that scored on a groundout by the next hitter. The next two hitters were also sat down allowing the Broncos to get out of the inning only down 2-0.Â
In the third inning Mabee saw three hitters and got three straight outs keeping the LA lead at two.
Ryon Knowles kicked off the bottom of the third with a single up the middle followed by a
Nick Peifer walk and a single from Lopez that brought Knowles home because of a throwing error on the play to cut the LA lead to 2-1. McKenzie followed Lopez with a 2 RBI double to right field to give the Broncos a 3-2 lead and later advanced to third after a
Drew Cowley groundout.
Christian Moya was then hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a fielder's choice where they got McKenzie out at home.
Dante Palacio then singled to right field that scored Moya from second for an RBI and a 4-2 Bronco lead.
Mabee worked into the 6th inning but was pulled after giving up a double and a single that advanced the runner to third.
Steven Ordorica was tasked with the job of trying to get out of the inning. Ordorica was able to get two straight outs only allowing the runner at third to score before giving up three straight singles that scored three more runs that gave LA the lead at 6-4. The Broncos then tried to answer in the bottom half of the inning by Palacio drawing the hit by pitch and
Matt Manskar with a single to third base. However they were unable to do so as the next two hitters got out and even after Peifer was hit by a pitch to load the bases, the third out was made to keep the game at 6-4 LA.
Jeremy Taylor entered the game for Ordorica in the top of the 7th inning and retired the side without allowing anyone to reach base and get the Broncos to the plate still only down two runs. The Broncos did not wait to put the first runner on base with a single by McKenzie that was followed by a walk by Cowley. Both runners advanced due to a passed ball that set up runners at second and third for
Bryce Wooldridge. Wooldridge was able to get his first collegiate hit with a single through the right side that was followed by a
John Pappas bunt single that scored Cowley that tied the game up at 6-6.Â
McKenzie was the first baserunner of the eighth inning and reached via a walk and then stole second base in the next few pitches. Cowley then grounded out to shortstop but McKenzie never stopped running and was able to score to give the Broncos the lead at 7-6. Orozco tried to finish off the game and get himself the win but was taken off the mound after getting an out and giving up a single.
Eric Romo was given the ball to attempt to get his first save of the season. Romo did walk his first batter, but he was able to get a ground out and a foul out to secure the save and the win for Orozco.
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Along with McKenzie's success at the plate, Lopez went 2 for 5 with a run and Wooldridge going 2 for 3 with an RBI.
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Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State LA wrap up the four-game series Sunday with a doubleheader at Reeder Field in Los Angeles, beginning at 1:00 pm.
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