Chavez, Allen lead Mustangs to 11-6 win and best start in Division I history

Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:45 PM by Andrew Masuda
Updated: Mar 6, 2013 11:45 PM

Mustangs explode for 14 hits in 11-6 win to complete sweep

A six run third inning capped by a three-run triple from Denver Chavez, and solid relief pitching helped the Cal Poly baseball team complete a two-game sweep over Holy Cross with an 11-6 victory on Wednesday night in Baggett Stadium. The 21st ranked Mustangs improved to 5-0 at home and 11-1 overall. The Mustangs are off to their best 12-game start in their 19 year Division I history.

The Mustangs overcame deficits of 2-1 in the second and 5-2 in the third inning.

Cal Poly took an early 1-0 lead when Nick Torres continued his torrid hitting with a run-scoring double to right center field to score Jimmy Allen, who had doubled with two outs and nobody on. The Crusaders took a 2-1 lead in the second on a 2-run double from Andrew Barry. The Mustangs tied it when John Schuknecht scored from third base on a passed ball in the bottom half. Holy Cross scored three runs off Cal Poly starter Casey Bloomquist in the top of the third to take a 5-2 lead.

Bloomquist, a true freshman, allowed 5 runs, 4 of which were earned, on 5 hits and 2-plus innings of work. Santa Barbara High graduate Danny Zandona replaced Bloomquist and the sophomore threw 3 shutout innings that allowed Cal Poly's offense to regain control. The lefty struck out 3 and allowed two hits to earn the win in relief.

The decisive third inning started with two hit batters and a walk to load the bases. Mark Mathias was hit by a pitch to score David Armendariz to make it a 5-3 game. With the bases still loaded, Denver Chavez cleared the bags with a triple to right center field that gave Cal Poly the lead 6-5. Tim Wise brought in Chavez with a sacrifice fly to center field to make it a 7-5 Mustang advantage. Brian Mundell added a run-scoring single to score Allen and complete a six run inning with the Mustangs ahead 8-5.

Mathias added a RBI-single to open a three-run sixth inning for the Mustangs. Allen added a two-run single to complete the scoring for the home team.

Allen and Chavez led the Mustangs' 14-hit attack with three hits each. Mathias and Torres added two hits apiece. Chavez raised his average to .444 on the season.

Michael Dingilian threw 1 2/3 innings of relief and allowed one unearned run with 4 strikeouts for the Mustangs. Michael Hollback and Reed Reilly combined to throw 2 1/3 scoreless innings to complete the sweep. Reilly struck out 2 in the ninth.

Cal Poly opens a three game series at 8-3 Kansas State on Friday with a doubleheader. The third game of the series is set for Saturday.