Mustangs bounce back to take series from Titans

Cal Poly baseball wasn’t looking good. After Friday night’s loss, they were 0-1 in Big West play and it was kind of tough to see a way back. Of the 10 games that finished Friday, only one was errorless. The Mustangs had made 21 errors in that stretch. Then they won in extra innings on Saturday and controlled Sunday’s game and all of a sudden they are 2-1 having taken a series against a perennial top-25 team to start conference play. The conference win puts them at 19-11 through their first 30 games.

Erich Uelmen has been consistent in a weekend starter role for Cal Poly this season. By Owen Main

Uelman moved to Saturday

The first big decision Larry Lee made was to start Erich Uelmen on Saturday instead of his customary Sunday game. Saturday’s game was an afternoon one due to rain, so Uelmen got to pitch in a day game and he was spectacular, giving up just two hits and no runs in 7 1/3 innings. Along with Justin Calomeni, Uelmen combined for a 10-inning shutout and gave Cal Poly exacty what they needed in a 1-0 victory.

Errorless

On Friday night, an unearned run was the difference. It wasn’t a unique story. Cal Poly’s defense has been struggling to find an identity all season. The Mustangs have gone through at least four shortstops and about the same number of second baseman as unearned runs have piled-up.

Coming into Saturday, they’d made 11 errors in their past five games and hadn’t strung together two errorless games in a row all season. With a single error Friday and two on Sunday, that streak is still alive. Averaging less than an error per game in conference play is probably what the Mustangs need to do moving forward to continue to be competitive in the Big West.

Cal Poly and second baseman Dylan Doherty turned three double plays on Saturday afternoon. By Owen Main

Going into Saturday’s game, they’d allowed 36 unearned runs via 45 errors in just 28 games. To close the weekend, they’ve now committed 47 errors in 30 games, but didn’t give up any unearned runs in the final two games of the series against Cal State Fullerton.

Zill takes advantage

Jarred Zill took advantage of another opportunity to prove he could be the third weekend starter Larry Lee is looking for. The sophomore righty from Laguna Niguel brought his flowing blonde locks to the mound and looked sharp, going 7 1/3 innings. He gave up three hits and just two runs.

In all, Cal Poly pitchers allowed five runs in three games with the deciding run on Friday an unearned one. Each of the three starters gave Cal Poly a good chance to win on the day they pitched.

Morgan solidifying DH

Kevin Morgan seems like he’s solidifying the designated hitter role. The junior left-handed hitter has always been someone with good bat control and he’s putting it to good use.

On the weekend, Morgan went 6-9 at the plate with a walk, two RBIs, and two runs. Cal Poly scored eight runs this weekend against the best pitching staff in the Big West, and Morgan was directly involved with four of them.

If Cal Poly was looking for a full-time designated hitter, they may now have found one in Morgan.

Eager coming back to town

Former pitching coach Thomas Eager will be returning to San Luis Obispo with his new team on Tuesday night as California comes to Baggett Stadium. Game time is 5:00pm.

Photos by Owen Main

For Saturday’s gallery, Click Here 

For Sunday’s gallery, click here.