Armendariz, Torres lead Mustangs to 6-1 win over Holy Cross

Posted: Mar 5, 2013 9:39 PM by Andrew Masuda
Updated: Mar 5, 2013 11:21 PM

Aremendariz leads Cal Poly baseball to 6-1 win

David Armendariz broke out of a slump with two run-scoring doubles as five of Cal Poly's eight hits went for extra bases in the Mustangs' 6-1 win over Holy Cross in Baggett Stadium on Tuesday night. The Mustangs, who climbed to #21 in the nation this week, improved to 4-0 at home and 10-1 overall. They've matched the 1997 team to the program's best 11 game start since turning Division I in 1995.

Cal Poly, which plays five games this week, scored twice in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead for good. Denver Chavez took four-straight balls to lead off the inning with a walk and promptly stole second base. Elliott Stewart followed with a double to right-center to score Chavez and give Cal Poly a 1-0 lead just two batters in. After Jimmy Allen grounded out to move Stewart to third, Nick Torres stayed hot with a double down the left field line to plate Stewart and make it 2-0 Cal Poly.

The Mustangs added a run in the fourth when Alex Michaels drew a two-out walk. Armendariz followed with a shot to the left center field gap to score Michaels all the way from first place and give Cal Poly a 3-0 lead. The Crusaders scored one run off Cal Poly starter Kyle Brueggemann in the fourth inning. The right-hander earned the win after allowing just 1 run and 5 hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out 4 and walked 2 hitters.

Taylor Chris escaped a jam in the sixth and threw 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief with 2 strikeouts. Chase Johnson pitched a scoreless ninth inning to seal the victory.

The Mustangs broke open a 3-1 game with a two-out rally in the sixth inning. Armendariz doubled to almost the same spot in left center to score Nick Torres from second base. Chris Hoo followed with a flair that fell into shallow right field to score Armendariz to make it a 5-1 Mustang lead. After Peter Van Gansen singled to extend the inning, Chavez doubled down the right field line to score Hoo and cap the scoring.

Torres and Armendariz led the Mustangs with 2 hits apiece. Chavez, Torres, Hoo and Stewart each drove in a run for Cal Poly. Armendariz had been 1 for his last 17 prior to going 2 for 4 on Tuesday. Torres stayed hot and is 9 for his last 21 with 8 RBI in his last five games.

The Mustangs close out the mini two-game homestand against Holy Cross on Wednesday at 6 pm. Cal Poly opens a three game series at Kansas State on Friday.