Cal Poly defeated UC San Diego 5-3 on April 18 at Triton Ballpark, moving into first place in the Big West baseball standings. The win was led by pitcher Carson Turnquist, who struck out 11 batters over five innings without allowing an earned run.
The result is significant as it puts Cal Poly ahead of both UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara in the conference race. With a record of 21-16 overall and 12-5 in conference play, Cal Poly now holds a one-game lead over its closest rivals.
Turnquist set a new personal best with his strikeout total, surpassing his previous high of eight. He allowed only three hits and walked one batter across five innings, throwing a total of 99 pitches. Chris Downs and Josh Morano each pitched more than an inning in relief, while Nick Bonn closed out the game to earn his ninth save.
Offensively, Alejandro Garza contributed three hits—including a double—and drove in two runs for Cal Poly. Garza has recorded multiple hits in seven of his last nine starts and leads the team with nineteen multi-hit games this season. Jake Downing went four-for-four at the plate with three doubles, becoming just the seventeenth Mustang to achieve that feat since Cal Poly joined Division I.
Other contributors included Ryan Tayman with two hits and Cam Hoiland who singled home the game’s first run. Braxton Thomas added a sacrifice fly for another early run. Despite efforts from UC San Diego’s Gabe Camacho and JC Allen—who each had two hits—the Mustangs’ bullpen secured the victory after late runs from their opponents narrowed the margin.
The series concludes Sunday afternoon at Triton Ballpark as Cal Poly looks to maintain its position atop the standings.