CU baseball captures single win over break

Columbia baseball left New York City for the sunny environs of California almost two weeks ago with only one win to its name in its first seven games. Eight days, 10 games, and two nationally ranked opponents later, the Lions returned to the East Coast only one win heavier, as the big bats of UC Riverside, San Diego, and Cal State Northridge proved too much for the defending Ivy League champions.

The No. 27 Highlanders gave the Light Blue a rude welcome to the West Coast, pounding Columbia for 35 runs in three games. UC Riverside shelled Light Blue pitching early and often, plating eight earned runs against Joe Scarlata in game one en route to a 14-5 win and six runs against Dan Bracey in game three to cruise to a 15-5 victory. The only Columbia starter who seemingly had the Highlanders figured out was Geoff Whitaker, who limited UC Riverside to only one earned run in his seven innings of work in game two. But things fell apart in the bottom of the eighth, as an error by third baseman Mike Roberts and three walks by reliever Harrison Slutsky turned a 4-2 Columbia advantage into a 6-4 defeat.

Things didn’t get any easier for the Lions as they traveled south to face the No. 20 San Diego Toreros. Although Columbia pitching was able to keep San Diego in check for most of the series, the Light Blue offense was missing in action for the three-game sweep, scoring only seven runs in 27 innings of play.

An early 1-0 lead in game one, courtesy of an RBI double by designated hitter Alex Aurrichio, was quickly erased by three San Diego runs in the bottom of the fourth. Columbia managed to tie the game with two runs in the seventh, but seven runs off of starter Roger Aquino and reliever Alex Ferrera in the bottom of the seventh and eighth sealed the deal for the Toreros.

Another early lead in game two was also squandered, as San Diego scored one in the third, three in the fifth, and two in the seventh. That was all Toreros starter Matt Thomson would need. The tall right hander out of Santa Rosa, Calif. shut down the Lions over seven innings, striking out six while allowing just one earned run.

The series finale followed suit for the Lions, as an excellent start by Scarlata was wasted. Despite eight innings from Columbia’s staff ace, the offense couldn’t figure out San Diego’s Darrin Campbell, who allowed just one earned run on four hits over six innings, striking out eight. Down 3-1 entering the top of the ninth, Columbia threatened as Aurrichio homered to lead off the inning, but fell short as the team lost a close game, 4-2.

The last leg of its West Coast road trip pitted Columbia against Cal State Northridge, and once again the offense came up empty. Game one saw Matador starter Billy Ott earn his first win of the season with eight brilliant innings of work. Ott struck out seven and conceded two runs in the 8-2 win.

Things finally broke Columbia’s way in game two. Bracey led the team on the mound by limiting Cal State Northridge to one run on four hits over seven innings, and the Lions battered Matador pitching with 11 hits and 10 runs on the game for the easy 10-1 win. But the Light Blue could not carry the momentum from into the series-ending doubleheader. Aquino was hit hard early, surrendering seven hits and five earned runs over three-and-two-thirds innings, as Cal State Northridge pushed ahead in the third and fourth innings, scoring four runs on six hits to edge the Lions, 5-4. Both teams’ bats came alive for the last game, with Columbia chasing Matador starter Davin Tate with four runs in the first inning. Cal State Northridge used the long ball to climb back on top, however, posting three home runs in the game to come back and win, 10-7.

For Columbia head coach Brett Boretti, the West Coast trip gave him a chance to audition pitchers for the fourth and final spot in his starting rotation. That competition seems to be between Aquino and Pat Lowery. Aquino was solid for six innings against San Diego, while Lowery turned in five strong innings the next day against the Toreros.

In the infield, Jon Eisen has grabbed the starting job at second base. The freshman hit just .204 on the trip but went seven for his last 20 after opening with a 1-for-13 series against UC Riverside. Other freshmen seeing extended time include Anthony Potter, Aurrichio, and Billy Rumpke. Potter and Aurrichio have struggled to make contact, however, combining for 26 strikeouts and just 18 hits in the early going.
Columbia will host St. John’s University for one game on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in the team’s last contest before beginning conference play.