Seattle University’s Will Dennis (Saratoga, Calif.) engaged in a pitcher’s duel with the CSUN Matadors, but one bad pitch led to the only run of the game as the Matadors defeated the Redhawks, 1-0, Friday evening in a non-conference collegiate baseball game at Bannerwood Park.
Dennis pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits, including a one-out home run hit by Albee Weiss in the seventh inning. Of the 98 pitches Dennis threw, 76 of them were for strikes, as he struck out seven Matador hitters without issuing a walk. He never allowed more than one baserunner in any inning, preventing CSUN from putting together any significant offense.
However, the Matador pitching was just as good, beginning with starter Calvin Copping, who gave up four hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings while striking out four batters. In the sixth inning, Landon Cray (Chimacum, Wash.) led off with a single, and Brian Olson (Black Diamond, Wash.) drew a one-out walk, but Copping induced a flyout before earning a strikeout to end the Redhawk threat.
Colin Peterson (Bellingham, Wash.) led off the seventh inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Dalton Hurd (Bend, Ore.) drew a two-out walk to extend the inning, but Matador reliever Joey Deceglie came on and induced a popup to stop the Seattle U scoring chance.
Nick Viola pitched a perfect eighth inning for the Matadors before Conner O’Neil retired the Redhawks in order in the ninth inning to earn his second save of the season, improving CSUN’s record to 5-1 so far this season. Peterson led the Seattle U offense with two hits, while Weiss finished with two hits for the Matadors, collecting a double in the second inning before his seventh-inning home run.
Seattle University (1-5) looks to get its offense going Saturday, Feb. 21, as the Redhawks will face the Matadors in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Before the game, several people responsible for the new turf playing surface will be recognized for their work in completing the project on time. Live stats and live video for both games will be available on GoSeattleU.com.