POMONA, Calif. – Fans at Scolinos Field on Saturday sure got their money's worth, getting to watch 21 innings of baseball in the doubleheader thanks to the second-longest game in school history. Unfortunately for CPP, the Broncos ended up on the wrong side of both games, seeing their overall record fall to 8-20 and 5-14 in CCAA play.
 
The first game of the doubleheader lasted 14 innings, marking the third-longest DII game this season, while going a whopping 4 hours and 55 minutes. This officially goes down as the second-longest game in program history – both by innings and time – the record being 15 innings and the longest game going exactly five hours (March 6, 2020). Had the Broncos played just six more minutes in game one, they would have broken the school record for the longest game.
 
 
Game 1: CPP 9, CSULA 11 (14 Innings)
In a grueling 14-inning contest, the Cal Poly Pomona baseball team ultimately fell short in an 11-9 loss to Cal State LA. Despite a 17-hit performance, the Broncos couldn't capitalize late, allowing the Golden Eagles to push across two runs in the top of the 14th inning to claim the win.
 
The Broncos jumped ahead early in the third inning when Clay Porter delivered a two-run double to left-center, bringing home Tyler Chaffee and Robbie Treto for a 2-0 lead. Starting pitcher Dylan Esquival worked efficiently through the first four frames, keeping Cal State LA off the board.
 
However, trouble struck in the fifth when the Golden Eagles capitalized on free passes, scoring six runs on just three hits, including a two-run single. A sacrifice fly and an RBI single extended LA's lead to 6-2. Esquival would finish the day with five earned runs allowed in 4.0 innings while striking out four and allowing seven free passes. Two more runs in the sixth widened the gap to 8-2 before the Broncos responded.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, back-to-back hit by pitches put runners on, and Johnny Pappas drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 8-3. The momentum carried into the seventh as CPP mounted a four-run rally. A bases-loaded walk to Beau Betten, followed by RBI groundouts from Julian Angulo and Marco Malerba, chipped away at the lead before Pappas came through again with an RBI single to make it a 9-7 game.
 
The Broncos kept pushing in the eighth, taking advantage of Cal State LA's only error in the game to score Chaffee. Angulo then followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Clay Porter to even the score at 9-9, sending the game into extra innings.
 
Both bullpens locked in during extra frames, with relievers Evan Adolphus and Colt Tucker keeping the game tied for the Broncos. Adolphus shined for the CPP staff, going 6.0 innings in relief and not allowing an earned run while only surrendering two hits.
 
CPP had opportunities in the extra frames, stranding runners in scoring position in the 11th, but couldn't deliver the much needed game-winning hit.
 
Cal State LA finally broke through in the 14th inning, scratching across a run via a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch before a sacrifice fly added insurance. The Broncos put a runner on in the bottom half, but couldn't mount another comeback as Cal State LA's Ismael Quintero closed the door for the save.
 
 
Game 2: CPP 1, CSULA 7
After a 40-minute break between games, the two teams were finally able to kick off the nightcap at 7:30 PM. The Broncos wore another tough loss, as Cal State LA starting pitcher Brandon Gutierrez spun a no-hitter against the Green & Gold.
 
The Broncos jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first when Marco Malerba drove in Johnny Pappas, who had reached on an error, with a sacrifice fly. However, that proved to be the lone bright spot offensively, as CPP was held hitless for the remainder of the game.
 
Cal State LA responded in the third with a solo home run to tie the game. The Golden Eagles then put together a three-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run double down the left field line to gain separation. They added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh to seal the win.
 
Broncos' starter Tyler Reiter (0-6) battled through 5.2 innings but took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits while striking out three on 109 pitches. Joseph Romero pitched the final 1.1 innings, surrendering two earned runs.
 
Brandon Gutierrez made history for Cal State LA, throwing a seven-inning no-hitter, allowing just one unearned run while striking out six and walking four.
 
 
Up Next
The Broncos and Golden Eagles will conclude their series at 1:00 PM at Scolinos Field on Sunday.
 
 
Bronco Bits

• The Broncos are now 124-116 all-time against Cal State LA, including 6-4 in their past 10 games.
• Randy Betten is now 424-286 (.597) as head coach of the Broncos and 301-206 (.594) in CCAA play.
• Betten remains 23 CCAA wins away from tying John Scolinos (324) for the most in program history.
• The Broncos have the toughest strength of schedule in all of NCAA Division II, with their opponents going 311-136 (.696) entering the weekend.
• The 4 hour, 55 minute game marks the second-longest game in school history by time. The longest was a 5:00 contest against San Francisco State in 2020.
• The Broncos have played 15 innings five separate times, most recently in 2020.
• Record Watch – Johnny Pappas scored one more run on Saturday, bringing his career total to 163. Tom Weeks (1984-87) currently holds the program record at 168.