Sophomore first baseman Tate Samuelson produced his first career four-hit game and senior right-hander Jarred Zill earned his first victory of the 2019 season as Cal Poly defeated Saint Mary’s 8-3 in the opening game of a four-game non-conference baseball series Friday night inside Baggett Stadium.
Samuelson singled three times and doubled once, knocking in a pair of runs on a perfect 4-for-4 evening at the plate to spark Cal Poly’s 12-hit offensive attack. Samuelson had five three-hit games as a freshman a year ago.
Zill (1-4) allowed one unearned run and six hits over six innings for the win, finally getting some run support. In his previous five starts, Zill had received no more than three runs from his teammates. He received seven runs while he was in the game Friday.
With the win, Cal Poly improves to 8-11 for the season, claiming six of its last eight completed games after a 2-9 start. Saint Mary’s, which had an eight-game winning streak snapped earlier in the week, fell to 13-8.
Zill struck out eight and walked one over six innings, throwing a season-high 108 pitches. Dylan Villalobos, Thomas Triantos and Michael Clark combined to secure the final nine outs in relief.
The loss went to Gael right-hander Kevin Milam (3-2) as he surrendered seven runs, eight hits and four walks over four innings.
Cal Poly erupted for six runs in the second inning, its biggest rally of the season, and coasted to the victory.
Nick DiCarlo doubled down the left-field line to knock in the first run and Samuelson capped the uprising with a two-run single to left field. A fielder’s choice, a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch accounted for the other three runs.
Cal Poly added single runs in the fourth and seventh frames. Connor Gurnik’s sacrifice fly to center field plated the run in the fourth and Cole Cabrera singled to right-center field for the seventh-inning marker.
In addition to Samuelson’s four hits, Cal Poly’s dozen hits also included two each by Cabrera and Dylan Doherty. Bradlee Beesley added a double.
Saint Mary’s also collected 12 hits, including four singles by Milam and two singles each for Ryan Novis and Bryce Willits.
The two teams will play a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday, followed by the series finale Sunday, also at 1 o’clock.
In Saturday’s opener, Mustang junior right-hander Bobby Ay (1-0, 3.68 ERA) faces Gael junior southpaw Ken Waldichuk (2-1, 3.23 ERA). Freshman right-hander Bryan Woo (1-0, 5.25 ERA) will pitch the nightcap for Cal Poly. Saint Mary’s starter has not been announced.
–Provided by Cal Poly
