Armendariz helps Mustangs come-from-behind at Santa Clara to stay undefeated

Posted: Feb 18, 2013 6:17 PM by Andrew Masuda

David Armendariz singled home Elliot Stewart in the top of the seventh inning to give Cal Poly its first lead of the game. Reed Reilly escaped a threat in the bottom of the ninth inning by striking out the side to preserve the victory. The Mustangs erased a 3-1 deficit to come-from-behind to beat Santa Clara 5-4 in a non-conference game on Monday.

The Mustangs completed their season-opening road trip undefeated and are off to their first 4-0 start since 2001.

The Mustangs trailed 3-1 into the sixth inning until a two-out rally tied the score. With two outs and nobody on, Nick Torres singled up the middle. After Torres stole second, freshman Brian Mundell walked. Tim Wise, who missed the first three games with a sprained ankle, delivered a pinch hit single to left center field to score both Torres and Mundell to tie the game 3-3.

Cal Poly took the lead for good in the top of the seventh inning when Stewart singled to lead off the inning. Denver Chavez singled to move Stewart to second. Both runners advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch before Jimmy Allen walked to load the bases. Armendariz singled to plate Stewart and Jordan Brower followed with a sacrifice fly to left field to score Chavez. Torres ended the inning by grounding into a double play.

The Mustangs tallied nine hits led by two from Chavez.

Reed Reilly walked the lead-off hitter in the bottom of the ninth and allowed a single to put runners at the corners with nobody out. Reilly proceeded to strike out the next three hitters to seal the victory and pick up the save.

Senior Kyle Brueggemann went 5 innings in his first start of the season for Cal Poly. He scattered 5 hits and allowed 3 runs, 1 walk and struck out 5. Santa Barbara High graduate Danny Zandona allowed 1 run in 1 1/3 innings of relief. Taylor Chris pitched 2/3 of an inning for the Mustangs and picked up the win. Reilly pitched two scoreless innings of relief to pick up his second save of the season. He allowed 2 hits and 1 walk and struck out 5.

Cal Poly returns home to open its home schedule Friday with a weekend series against Seattle. First pitch in Baggett Stadium Friday is at 6pm.