SAN BERNARDINO, CA. – Central Washington baseball dropped two close games on Saturday (5-8 and 5-7) to Cal State San Bernardino.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH DESI STOREY
"We did some good things today we got to get over making the critical mistakes that hurt us. I like that the team never quits. They kept grinding and made a run at the end of both games. If we don't make critical errors like walking leadoff batters and throwing bad 0-2 pitches, we are in it."

Storey added, "Overall, we played better today. The key mistakes have got to stop. If we can play a clean game tomorrow the way, we have been hitting we can get out of here with a win."
 
GAME ONE

• In the first at bat of the game, Charlie Larson nailed a dinger to left field. However, a single from Ruiz in the 2^nd drove in two runs and gave the Coyotes the advantage.
• In the bottom of the fourth, Ruiz homered to right making it 4-1.
• The Wildcats scored four runs in the top of the 8^th. Larson singled and Varner Jr. doubled to right center, as Ohland's ground out scored Larson from third. Leid flew out to right scoring Varner Jr. and Helm scored on a wild pitch. Then, Trenton Love used smart base running to cross home after a hit by pitch. After the bombastic inning for the 'Cats the score was 5-6.
• Midway through the 8^th Alex Brady came in for Garza and struck out Garcia before allowing two singles to left center that scored two runs.
• In the top of the ninth, Ohland's single was the only hit of the inning and Cal State San Bernardino walked away with the 8-5 victory, their first of the season.

PITCHING

• In the first game Ryan Arredondo got the start and worked late into the game. He threw 7 innings, faced 27 batters, and recorded a strikeout.
• Jonathan Garza II came in to relieve Arredondo and LSU transfer Alex Brady closed out the first game recording one strikeout.

HITTING

• In game one, Charlie Larson went 2-5 hitting one over the fence and Varner Jr. batted 3-5 lacing two doubles. Travis Helm went 2-4 on the day.

 
GAME TWO

• Reid Rasmussen worked through a clean second inning. In the bottom of the third with bases loaded, Gonzales scurried home on a passed ball bringing the Coyotes lead to 2-0.
• Varner Jr. doubled to left center field, advanced to third on a wild pitch. Trenton Love knocked in Varner Jr. for the 'Cats first run of the game. In the fifth, the Coyotes responded by scoring two runs to make it 4-1.
• It was all 'Cats in the sixth, Brady Hinkle homered to left driving in three runs. Next up, Sam Lauderdale launched one over the left field fencing giving CWU the 5-4 lead.
• The Coyotes were down to their final three outs in the bottom of the seventh. Gonzales lifted a single to center and Johnson wore one putting runners on first and second with one out.
• Daryl Ruiz crushed one deep to right field, walking it off giving CSUSB the 7-5 victory.

PITCHING

• Reid Rasmussen took the mound for the ladder half of the double header. He worked 4.1 innings, faced 15 batters, and recorded two strikeouts.
• Gabe Bustamante came in to close out the game recording one strikeout in two innings of work.
• Coach Storey said the following about Bustamante, "Bustamante did a good job and did well attacking the strike zone."

 
HITTING

• Brady Hinkle and Sam Lauderdale launched one homer a piece for the 'Cats. Kevin Varner Jr. went 1-4 hitting a double.

UP NEXT
The Wildcats face Cal State Bernardino tomorrow at 11 a.m.