Casey Bloomquist finished his 2015 home season on a high note on Friday night. By Owen Main

In what could be his final start at Baggett Stadium, Cal Poly junior Casey Bloomquist matched a career-high with 10 strikeouts and was one out away from a complete game as the Mustangs beat visiting UC Riverside 6-2.

With the win, Cal Poly moved into fourth place in the Big West at 11-8 in conference play and 24-25 overall. After a really sluggish start to the season, Cal Poly is playing a lot better of late. Larry Lee’s squad has gone 14-7 in their last 21 games and is 11-2 in their last 13 home games.

In his final night game at Baggett Stadium, senior third baseman Tommy Pluschkell hit a three-run home run over the left field wall in the second inning. It was the first home run of his Mustang career and came in his 286th career at-bat.

With runners on-base and Bloomquist’s pitch count high, closer Danny Zandona took over for Bloomquist in the ninth inning to get the final out of the game.

The Mustangs capitalized on four UC Riverside errors in the game. After committing lots of errors early in the season, Cal Poly is now in the top half of the conference in fewest errors committed.

Cal Poly plays their final two home games of 2015 Saturday and Sunday at Baggett Stadium. Both games start at 1:00 pm.

It’s possible that this Friday is the last time fans will see Casey Bloomquist pitch for Cal Poly at Baggett Stadium. By Owen Main

After winning the series opener on Friday night, Cal Poly dropped the final two games of the weekend set against UC Irvine to fall a full three games back of the conference front-running Anteaters.

Coming into the weekend, a prevailing thought was that a series sweep would get Cal Poly into a possible scenario to contend for the Big West title in the final weeks. Instead, the Mustangs lost two straight television games, dropped to fifth place in the Big West, and for all intents and purposes saw their chance at the postseason slip away.

The way the series went shouldn’t surprise fans who have watched the Mustangs all season. Casey Bloomquist did what they needed him to on Friday night and Cal Poly showed that it can play with any of the best teams on any given day. Cal Poly’s series’ against both UCSB and Cal State Fullerton — the two other teams contending at the moment — went much the same way. After Cal Poly split the first two games, things came down to Sunday. Once again, the series clincher that was so automatic for Larry Lee’s team was elusive.

Last season, Sundays were virtually automatic. Casey Bloomquist’s break-out All-American season was a revelation and a large part of the Mustang’s historic 2014. This year has been a lot more difficult. Sundays and mid-week games have been a revolving door of starters and relievers as Lee and pitching coach Thomas Eager have tried to find a winning formula. It’s not been easy. Cal Poly is now 2-10 in Sunday games. If you count the one game they played at TCU, started by Bloomquist, the Mustangs are 2-11.

With the loss, Cal Poly dropped to 1-5 in Sunday games in conference with two weekends left. There might be scenarios where Cal Poly could go 6-0 over the final two weeks and have a chance, but I’m not sure even Mustang fans are holding out hope at this point.

One fan I talked to is keeping the long view. Cal Poly is trying to build a perennial contender, sure. But college baseball, especially the recruiting aspect of it, can be a fickle beast. He made the point that Logan Webb, who was committed to Cal Poly this season, was instead drafted by the San Francisco Giants and chose to turn pro. I don’t know a lot about how good he was — he’s only thrown four inning in rookie ball so far this year — but I presume he might have been a good Sunday starter for the Mustangs.

For many, this season has been really disappointing. I guess I’m ready to be patient, especially with the talent the team lost a year ago. If a team plays as poorly as it seems Cal Poly has this season, has an above .500 record (10-8) in conference while losing four one-run games, I’m going to try not to overreact. Those one-run games are won that the Mustangs won a year ago, and I guess you can’t win them all.

I’m thankful for the individual players I have been able to see this season. Next year, Mark Mathias, Brian Mundell, and Peter VanGansen are all likely to be gone along with Jordan Ellis, Zack Zehner, and Taylor Chris. Bloomquist will be someone I’ll be keeping an eye on. If he goes early enough, he could turn pro. Cal Poly could also really use his talents next year in their rotation.

Next weekend, Cal Poly hosts UC Riverside in their final three home games of the season. Troy Percival is the Highlanders’ head coach. It also might be the last time you can see some guys you’ve been meaning to since last year. In baseball, there are lots of good reasons to come out to the park, no matter what time of year it is.

Cal Poly junior All-American Casey Bloomquist had his best outing of the season in a Friday-night loss to Sacramento State. By Owen Main

On the surface, it was the same old thing for Cal Poly baseball and their fans. Three errors. Two unearned runs allowed. Zero sustained offense. A loss, this time to Sacramento State, by a score of 2-0.

But for a team searching for way to get better and a reason to believe in themselves going into the Big West season, Cal Poly may be feeling better about their ace, Casey Bloomquist. A 2014 All-American, Bloomquist threw 7 2/3 innings, striking out nine while walking just two. The only two runs Cal Poly gave up all game were two unearned runs in the fourth inning, when the Mustangs committed two errors. They had three errors for the game, the fifth time that has happened in just 15 games this season.

For their part, Mustang hitters didn’t exactly pick-up their junior Friday night starter. Sacramento State’s Brennan Leitao threw eight flawless innings, striking out seven without a walk while giving up just three hits.

Junior Brian Mundell came up in the ninth inning against Hornet closer Chad Perry with two outs and one on in the ninth inning, but Mundell flew out to left-center field to end the game. Either because of a slip out of the box or because his hamstring still isn’t right, Mundell hobbled his way down to first base. Watching him move, I would be surprised if he plays again this weekend.

Cal Poly and Sac State finish their four-game series Saturday night at 6:00 and Sunday at 1:00.

Photos by Owen Main

Casey Bloomquist fell behind a number of hitters and didn’t get a lot of help from his defense in Cal Poly’s Friday night loss. By Owen Main

Grand Canyon beat Cal Poly 10-4 in the Mustangs’ home opener on Friday night in front of over 2,100 fans at Baggett Stadium.

Cal Poly led 2-0 and 3-1 before Grand Canyon rattled off four runs in the fifth inning, two in the seventh, and three in the ninth.

Three of the six key runs in the fifth and seventh innings were unearned — something that might be a pattern for this Mustangs team.

Cal Poly also took another injury hit in the game. Mark Mathias, the team’s best player has been out all season while recovering from labrum surgery. On Friday, their biggest power threat and number-three hitter Brian Mundell left the game with what looked like a hamstring injury.

Mundell, a former catcher in high school, has been the Mustangs’ designated hitter during is first two years in San Luis Obispo. This season, he is manning first base for the first time. On a groundout to shortstop in the top of the seventh, Mundell stretched at first base and game up hobbling noticeably. In the bottom of the inning, Mundell grounded out and went down in a heap passing first base. He was replaced at first base by John Schuknecht and Tommy Pluschkell replaced Schuknecht at third base.

The loss of Mundell for an undetermined amount of time is a bigger blow than any home opening loss could ever be. The Tribune’s JD Scroggin called it “potentially serious.” I agree.

Photos by Owen Main

Bryan Granger and the Cal Poly bullpen could be called-on to pitch some big innings in this weekend’s regional. By Owen Main

Matt Imhof. Reed Reilly. Mark Mathias. Casey Bloomquist. Nick Torres, Brian Mundell, Zack Zehner, Nick Torres, and Jimmy Allen. There are lots of names that people are talking about going into Cal Poly’s 2014 regional, but names that people aren’t mentioning may make a really big difference.

If Cal Poly is to move on in the San Luis Obispo regional, which starts today, they’ll almost certainly need some contribution from players outside of the names everyone knows.

If Larry Lee has his way, Cal Poly will use Matt Imhof and Casey Bloomquist for 7-plus innings in wins Friday and Saturday, setting up a Sunday game where the Mustangs would have Taylor Chris, Reed Reilly, or both relatively fresh for Sunday to back-up presumed starter Justin Calomeni.

But an NCAA Regional is a fickle proposition. Decisions that need to be made, in the moment, to win today’s game, may test pitching depth later in the weekend. This is where I believe someone less heralded will have to step out of the Cal Poly bullpen and make a statement.

Maybe it will be Bryan Granger. The right-handed junior from Hollister, CA was a starter last season before being moved to a middle relief role this year. Granger, who sports a 3.04 ERA, has recorded some big outs, especially in games started by neither Imhof nor Bloomquist. His delivery comes just enough from the side to throw hitters off for at least one time through the rotation. If things get tough for the Mustangs, they may need him to go through an opposing order more than once at some point this weekend.

Beyond Reilly, Chris, and potential game-four starter, Danny Zandona, the bullpen might start to get a little thin. Slater Lee was the Saturday starter for most of the non-conference slate, pitching a complete-game shutout at UCLA. During conference, though, Lee’s ERA ballooned to 6.20 as he lost his role in the starting rotation. Michael Dingilian, Jearl Jesson, and Nick Suniga are the only other Mustangs to take the hill this season. All of their ERA’s are over 5.00 and, as a group, they only pitched 26 1/3 innings.

A regional tournament tests a team’s fortitude, character, and, sometimes, pitching depth. Starting tonight, we’ll see if any of these less-used Mustangs are thrust into the spotlight at some point this weekend with the task of getting big outs with Cal Poly’s season on the line.

As I figure out how to GIFs from my photos, I thought I’d post a few of them and also a few videos I was sent from a Cal Poly fan.

Photos by Owen Main

Casey Bloomquist has turned into a second ace for Cal Poly. By Owen Main

Reed Reilly, or “Big Sexy” as he is known, pitched in all three games over the weekend. By Owen Main

Some would say I’ve been obsessing over Evan Brock’s mustache. I say, maybe you’re right. Respect, Mr. Brock. Respect. By Owen Main

And some videos of the series. First, a pair of RBI singles from Sunday via Michael Parolini’s cell phone.

Game Highlights via Cal Poly’s YouTube page:

Cal Poly plays St. Mary’s this afternoon in Moraga before closing their regular season with three games in Northridge this weekend.

Peter Van Gansen races home in the second inning of Sunday’s game. By Owen Main

It’s happened twice before this season. In two big series’ against top-25 teams (UCLA and UC Santa Barbara), Cal Poly’s opponent has beaten Matt Imhof twice in the Friday night series opener.

History repeated itself again this weekend as the Mustangs shook-off a 3-2 Friday night defeat against UC Irvine to win Saturday and Sunday and take the series over the Anteaters With the win, Cal Poly closes to within a half game of them in the standings, two games behind in the loss column.

Starting pitcher, Casey Bloomquist, was very good once again for Cal Poly, giving up two runs in six innings to keep his ERA at 1.52. Bloomquist improved his record to 11-1 on the season.

Pick me up

Matt Imhof is clearly Cal Poly’s ace, but when he has failed to grab the big win against a top opponent, the Mustangs have generally responded well.

If Cal Poly is to do anything in the postseason, they’ll have to be able to bounce back from adversity, both in their pitching staff and with their bats. The collective memory of the three series Cal Poly came back to win could be an important factor, especially if and when they lose a game.

Pitching depth

Matt Imhof is an ace. Casey Bloomquist has been an amazing number-two. After that, Cal Poly’s starting pitching looked awfully thin for much of the middle of the season.

Recently though, things look a little better. Danny Zandona mustered a strong start against Pepperdine last Tuesday and freshman, Justin Calomeni, pitched great for six innings yesterday and part of a combined shutout.

The other good news is that Cal Poly has a pair of relief aces in closer Reed Reiley and lefty Taylor Chris.

Having four quality starters and two ace relievers is a good thing, but six pitchers are not be enough in the postseason. Reed Reilly cannot save every game, especially when he pitches multiple innings. That’s where someone like Bryan Granger will come in big, especially in long relief. Granger was a starter last season and has been generally effective out of the bullpen this year.

After Granger (2.53 ERA), things get a little less solid. Slater Lee (5.81 ERA) was dynamite early, but seems to have hit a wall. Michael Dingillian (6.23 ERA), Jearl Jesson (8.31 ERA), and Nick Suniga (9.00 ERA) are the only other Mustangs to take the hill this season. If Cal Poly is to think about advancing in a regional or College World Series format, I would venture to guess that one or more of these deep bullpen pitchers will have to provide some number of innings of serviceable performance.

Like my high school coach was sometimes apt to say, “Who’s going to be a hero?”

The mustache of destiny

I had to put this note in there. Much respect to UC Irvine Sunday starter, Evan Brock. Brock brought an 8-3 record into Sunday afternoon’s game along with a very solid 2.85 ERA. All the buzz in the stands was Brock’s amazing caterpillar mustache. I mean, the thing was amazing.

It was so good, I went out of my way to take a photo of him earlier in the series. Everyone had their numberless warm-up shirts on and I didn’t know who he was. When I saw him on the mound on Sunday, there was no way to wipe the smile off my face.

Dat ‘stache tho! By Owen Main

His mustache made Zack Zehner’s early-season facial hair look like a middle-schooler’s. It would have made Tom Selleck blush and given him instant respect from the likes of Ron Swanson. I don’t know how else to describe it, but I did include a picture, so you be the judge.

Photos by Owen Main

[See image gallery at www.fansmanship.com]

Matt Imhof has had an amazing season so far. His Cal Poly Mustangs, too, may be in the midst of something historic.

Imhof gave up just four hits in a complete-game shutout while striking out 13 Aggies on Friday night in an 8-0 complete game shutout. It was the fourth double-digit strikeout game for the junior lefty, who is now 6-1 on the season.

Because they can’t really give it to him every week, Imhof (who has already won Big West Pitcher of the Week honors three times this season) lost out to Hawai’i’s Matt Cooper, who gave up one run and struck out nine batters in a complete game against UCSB.

Imhof didn’t give up any walks and only faced 31 batters for the game. For Aggie fans, this is how most innings probably felt like:

Sorry if this .gif made you nauseous. I’m still working on my .gif game. I know it made the Aggies and their fans nauseous. 

The rest of the weekend went much the same for Cal Poly, who stands atop the Big West Conference with a 23-4 record (3-0 in Big West play).

The Mustangs used Taylor Chris for five no-hit innings to earn a victory on Saturday and then finished-off UC Davis on the back of Casey Bloomquist on Sunday. Bloomquist went 8 innings and didn’t give up an earned run in a 9-1 win.

Next-up is a Tuesday night game against Cal State Bakersfield followed by a home series against UC Santa Barbara, one of the three current Top-25 teams in the Big West Conference. Santa Barbara lost their series last weekend against Hawai’i.

[See image gallery at www.fansmanship.com]

Hyland is perfect

Cal Poly freshman pitcher Sierra Hyland tossed a perfect game in the conference opener on Saturday against Cal State Northridge. It was Hyland’s second no-hitter of the season and led to her fourth Big West Conference Pitcher of the Week Award this season.

Hyland struck-out eleven Matadors and, since it was a perfect game, didn’t walk any.