Cal Poly advanced past UC San Diego with a 1-0 victory in Game 3 of The Big West Championship, according to a May 21 announcement. The game, held at Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark, featured a strong pitching performance from Griffin Naess for the Mustangs and Steele Murdock for the Tritons.
The match was notable for its pitching duel, as both starters combined for just one run and five hits across the contest. Naess threw a career-high 129 pitches over seven and two-thirds innings, striking out eleven batters while allowing only two hits and three walks. Murdock pitched eight innings with four walks, three hits allowed, and eleven strikeouts.
“The two starting pitchers got after it,” said UC San Diego head coach Eric Newman. “The competitiveness was high level. That was high-level stuff. We got beat on a ball that didn’t get out of the infield. Sometimes that happens.” Cal Poly head coach Larry Lee said, “Great college baseball game. Very pitching dominant, both sides. Both starters were on top of their game and we were fortunate to come out with a one-nothing win.” Lee added: “In every type of tournament like this, I think there’s one of these games where you’re going to play a tightly contested game… And fortunately we were on the winning side.”
The game’s only run came in the second inning when Nate Castellon hit an infield single that brought Jake Downing home from third base. Castellon commented on his decisive hit: “Doesn’t need to be pretty… As long as it brings someone in, that’s all that matters. The scorebooks show it was a hard line drive.” Naess credited his success to his pitch selection: “The pitches were working for me tonight… The change, curveball and fastball were the main three that were working.” Lee praised Naess’s performance: “Griffin was the best I think I’ve seen him in the three years since he’s been here… He just took it to a completely different level.”
UC San Diego left nine runners stranded during several scoring opportunities but could not capitalize against Cal Poly’s pitchers or reliever Bonn who earned his thirteenth save of the season—one shy of tying the school record.
Looking ahead, Cal Poly will face UC Santa Barbara next in the winner’s bracket final while UC San Diego plays an elimination contest against Cal State Fullerton.