The Seattle University baseball team continued to struggled both offensively and in the field, as the Redhawks scored only one run and committed four errors, helping Cal Poly complete a sweep of the weekend series with a 4-1 victory Sunday afternoon at Baggett Stadium.
Cal Poly (7-0) struck quickly in the top of the first inning when, after Seattle U starter Kyle Doyle (Covington, Wash.) struck out the first two batters, Jimmy Allen tripled to center field and scored on a single by Brian Mundell. Mundell advanced to third on a single by Nick Torres, but Doyle earned his third strikeout of the inning to end the Mustang threat.
Doyle was in trouble again in the bottom of the third inning, as Mundell singled, Torres doubled, and David Armendariz walked to load the bases with two outs. The sophomore pitcher induced a lineout to end the inning without any runs scoring.
In the sixth inning, Chase Fields (Ontario, Ore.) singled to left field, advanced to third on a single through the right side by Landon Cray (Chimacum, Wash.), and scored on a fielder's choice hit to shortstop by Nate Roberts (Silverdale, Wash.), tying the game at 1-1.
The Mustangs came right back in the bottom of the sixth, starting when Redhawk reliever Skyler Genger (Kent, Wash.) hit Chris Hoo with a pitch. With two outs, Denver Chavez sent a single to left field, and Sean Narby's (Auburn, Wash.) throw from the outfield was off-line, allowing Hoo to score the go-ahead run.
Seattle U threatened to score in the seventh inning, as Ryan Somers (Sammamish, Wash.) led off with a single and Narby followed with a bunt single. However, Cullen Hendrickson (Auburn, Wash.) grounded into a double play, and Ben Ruff (Fife, Wash.) struck out, stranding Somers at third base.
Cal Poly extended the lead in the bottom of the seventh, starting when Torres reached on an error, followed by a single by Armendariz and an RBI single from Hoo that drove in Torres. Pinch hitter Elliot Stewart was able to bring in Armendariz on a groundout to put the Mustangs ahead by three runs.
Mustang starting pitcher Bryan Granger earned the victory after working the first eight innings, allowing eight hits, one walk, and one run while striking out five batters. After giving up a leadoff single to Brian Olson (Black Diamond, Wash.) in the ninth inning, Granger gave way to Taylor Chris, who retired the next three Redhawks in order to pick up the save.
Genger was given the loss, allowing three hits and one unearned run in two innings after relieving Doyle, who gave up seven hits, one walk, and one run during the first four innings, striking out six Mustang hitters along the way.
Somers was the only Seattle U player with more than one hit, going 2-for-4 in the game. Mundell led the Mustangs with a 3-for-4 hitting performance, while Chavez and Torres each went 2-for-5 as Cal Poly extended its season-opening winning streak to seven games.
Seattle University (1-6) returns home for a two-game midweek series against BYU at Bannerwood Stadium in Bellevue, with games Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m., and Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 2:30 p.m. Live stats and live audio for both games will be available on GoSeattleU.com.