Wildcats Roar to Victory: CWU Baseball Secures First Season Win with 4-2 Triumph Over Cal State San Bernardino

‘Cats Pick up Big First Win of the Season, Triumph 4-2 Over Cal State San Bernardino

By Johnathan Hudson

SAN BERNARDINO, California. – Central Washington Baseball picked up its first win of the season beating Cal State San Bernardino 4-2 in extra innings on Thursday night. In the tenth inning, Kevin “Baba” Varner Jr. touched all the bases after a walk and a series of errors. Next up, Ben Leid mashed one over the right field wall. In the bottom of the tenth, Nolan Milliman forced three quick outs, to secure the ‘Cats first victory.

QUOTING HEAD COACH DESI STOREY

“That was a great game. The pitching was fantastic. We made some defensive plays when we needed to and had very timely clutch hitting that followed.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

Despite the intense travelling on game day, the ‘Cats got off to a quick start, putting up two runs in the first inning. Marcus Manzardo and Kevin “Baba” Varner Jr. opened the game with back-to-back singles. A throwing error allowed Ben Leid to get on base and Manzardo touched home for the crimson and black’s first run. Travis Helm’s RBI single to left extended the ‘Cats lead to two.

Alex Brady got the start for Central Washington and dealt a scoreless six innings. He struck out nine Coyotes in his outing.

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Cal State San Bernardino got on the scoreboard in the seventh. Davidson reached on an error, and the Coyotes brought in Jeremy Giesegh to pinch-hit for Roberto Bueno. Giesegh delivered and roped a double down the left field line. With one out, Jason Shedlock hit an RBI single to left. Next up, Riley Parker reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Giesegh and tied the game at two.

It was a stalemate through the ninth, but the ‘Cats came up big in the top of the tenth. Varner Jr. walked, stole second, advanced to third on a sac fly, and scored on a wild pitch to give Central Washington the 3-2 lead. 

After Varner Jr. scored, Senior Ben Leid stepped up to the plate and launched one over the right field wall for the ‘Cats first home run of the season! Leid’s moon shot put Central Washington up 4-2 going into the bottom of the tenth. 

Nolan Milliman made quick work of the bottom of the inning. He forced a fly out from the first batter and then back-to-back ground balls which secured the Wildcats’ first win of the season!

Central Washington University Hitting

Travis Helm and Ben Leid had a great game at the plate for Central Washington. Helm had a single and an RBI. Leid went 1-5 but came up with the clutch hit of the game, launching an RBI homer to right field.

Austin Ohland went 2-5 with a double and Andrew Sharp, Marcus Manzardo, and Baba Varner Jr. each added a hit. Jason Shedlock led the offense for Cal State San Bernardino going 4-5 from the plate.

As a pinch hitter, Giesegh did his job and roped a double in his lone at bat.

Central Washington University Pitching

Alex Brady started for Central Washington and pitched six innings and struck out nine batters. Then, Beau Kearsey came in followed by Gabe Bustamante who worked an inning.

Nolan Milliman entered the game in the ninth. He threw two innings, only allowed one hit and struck out a batter. Milliman earned his first win of the season.

Dylan O’Connor started for the Coyote’s and pitched five innings, recording six strikeouts. 

Devyn Hernandez came in to relieve O’Connor. Hernandez threw 4.2 innings and struck out seven but let two runs score and therefore recorded the loss.

John Pfeffer came in and recorded the final out to get the Yotes out of the top of the tenth inning.

Upcoming Central Washington University Baseball Games

The Wildcats continue the series tomorrow with games two and three against Cal State San Bernardino starting at 12:00 p.m. PT.