Cal Poly tops Seattle 2-1, improves to 5-0

Posted: Feb 22, 2013 10:55 PM by Eric Burdick
Updated: Feb 22, 2013 11:00 PM

Senior second baseman Denver Chavez doubled to drive in two runs and senior right-hander Joey Wagman and sophomore right-hander Reed Reilly combined on a five-hitter as Cal Poly moved to 5-0 for the first time in 12 years with a 2-1 victory over Seattle on Friday.

The game, witnessed by 1,050 in Baggett Stadium, was the home opener for the Mustangs and the first of a three-game series with the Redhawks (1-4). The two teams are meeting in baseball for the first time this weekend.

With the game scoreless in the fifth, junior catcher Chris Hoo singled with one out and freshman left fielder John Schuknecht drew a walk, putting Mustang runners at first and second. After a strikeout for the second out of the inning, junior first baseman Tim Wise reached base on a Seattle fielding error, loading the bases.

Chavez hit a 1-0 pitch from Andrew Olson into the gap in left-center field to knock in the first two runs of the game.

Seattle rallied in the ninth, taking advantage of a Mustang throwing error and a single by designated hitter Grant Newton to put runners at first and third with one out. Second baseman Nick Latta grounded into a force play at second, knocking in a run, and Reilly then secured the final out on a strikeout to end the game.

All three runs in the game were unearned. The two teams combined for eight hits by eight different players and all were singles except for the two-run double by Chavez.

Wagman (2-0) threw 113 pitches in six innings, getting the win though he allowed five walks, four in the first two innings. Wagman gave up two hits and struck out five. Reilly picked up his third save, allowing an unearned run and three hits in three innings with two strikeouts.

The loss went to Olson (0-2), though he allowed two unearned runs and just three hits over seven innings and struck out eight. Ben Ruff tossed the eighth inning for Seattle.

Cal Poly also opened the 1997 and 2001 seasons with five-game winning streaks.

Second game of the series will be played Saturday night at 6, with sophomore southpaw Matt Imhof (1-0, 0.00 ERA) on the mound for Cal Poly, seeking its first 6-0 start in its 19-year Division I history, against Seattle freshman right-hander Ted Hammond (0-0, 7.36 ERA).

Final game of the series is set for a noon start Sunday.