Box Score
Turlock, CA -- Inclement weather allowed just one game of the Saturday baseball doubleheader between Academy of Art and Cal State Stanislaus to be played and the Warriors came away with a 24-1 victory. It was the season-opener for both teams at Warrior Baseball Field and AAU now stands at 0-1 on the season while CSUS improves to 1-1. Junior infielder Ryan Worley, who went 1-for-4 on the day, batted in the Knights' lone run in the contest with a RBI double in the seventh inning.
“Overall they played well,” Head Coach Brian Guinn said. “They just didn't pitch well. If you don't hit your spots out there, they're going to put the ball in play hard in some places. But we know what we need to work on now so we will get there.”
AAU fell into a hole when Warrior first baseman Casey Filkins hit a two-run home run in the first inning. Junior designated hitter Chris Vargas gave the Knights an opportunity to score when he singled in the second and then stole a base, but Academy of Art could not bring him home. Three more runs came for Stanislaus with a pair of run-scoring doubles in the second inning to put CSUS in front 5-0.
The teams were quiet through the third before the Warriors added to their lead with a four-run fourth that forced AAU to change pitchers. Sophomore right-handed starter Alex Rosenthal was replaced by sophomore left-hander Zach Mexicano who promptly struck out the final batter of the inning. Unfortunately for Academy of Art, four more hits came in the fifth inning resulting in three additional runs and a 12-0 advantage for Cal State Stanislaus.
AAU began the sixth with a walk and a single to put a pair of runners on base, but when three outs followed, the Knights were stranded. The Warriors scored 12 more runs in the sixth through eighth innings to give them their victory, however, Academy of Art did get on the board in the eighth when sophomore Brandon Kistler pinch hit, walked, and soon came around to score on a double by Worley.
“Brandon had a good at bat,” Coach Guinn said. “He took some close pitches and drew the walk. Then we had talked to Ryan beforehand and told him that he has to let the game come to him. He went opposite way just like we talked about so that was great to see.”
Worley finished the game with the one double in four at-bats and the run batted in. Vargas went 1-for-4 as well and freshman third baseman Kenny Rollins, Jr. had a 1-for-2 outing. Rosenthal, who is now 0-1 on the season, went 3.2 innings and was charged with eight earned runs, but he posted four strikeouts in the start. Mexicano worked 3.1 innings on the mound, gave up eight earned runs as well, and struck out two.
The Warriors were led by centerfielder David Contreras and Filkins who both had two hits and four RBIs. Catcher Andrew Graves finished with a game-high four runs scored to go with two RBIs and a 2-for-4 afternoon. Right-handed starter Kory Wallace threw 6.0 innings, allowed two hits, and registered five strikeouts.
“I think we had some first-game jitters and we got those out of the way,” Coach Guinn said. “So we'll come back and compete. It's a long season and this is just the beginning. We will iron some things out on the mound and we'll be alright.”
The season-opening weekend series with Cal State Stanislaus wraps up tomorrow with a doubleheader set to begin at 11:00 AM. AAU and CSUS return to Warrior Baseball Field to play both games.
