The Cal Poly baseball team returned to campus on June 1 after winning its first NCAA regional championship, advancing to the Super Regionals for the first time in program history. The Mustangs outscored their three opponents 25-5 and achieved a .310 batting average during victories over Virginia Tech and Saint Mary’s at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Cal Poly did not face host UCLA, the No. 1 national seed, as the Bruins were eliminated by Saint Mary’s after two one-run losses. The double-elimination tournament featured notable moments, including UCLA’s late rally against Virginia Tech and Saint Mary’s upsets over the Bruins. Key performances for Cal Poly included strong pitching from Griffin Naess, Carson Turnquist, and Josh Volmerding; home runs from Ryan Tayman and Cam Hoiland; and Gavin Spiridonoff’s three-run homer that broke a tie against Saint Mary’s.
UCLA became the first top-seeded team since the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1999 to lose its opening game in a regional and only the second top seed in that period not to reach its regional final. Other high seeds such as Southern Miss and Nebraska were also eliminated, while several other top-16 seeds faced additional games.
The Mustangs committed just one error across three games with a combined pitching staff ERA of 1.33. Nick Bonn recorded two saves for a season total of 17—a school record—while Tayman tied Cal Poly’s single-season home run record with his eighteenth home run. Alejandro Garza reached 253 career hits.
Players reflected on their favorite moments from both the season and recent championship weekend. Jake Downing said, “My favorite memory from this weekend is winning the regional. First time in program history, and there couldn’t have been a better group of guys to share an experience like this with.” Shortstop Nate Castellon highlighted winning the Big West Championship as his best memory so far: “We weren’t the one seed…All three of those games were really one- or two-run ballgames.” Other players mentioned memorable plays or celebrated sharing success with teammates.
Cal Poly now holds a 39-22 overall record entering its first-ever Super Regional appearance against either West Virginia or Kentucky.