Six-Run Seventh Gives Highlanders A Series Sweep
Sophomore Joey Gonzales finished with seven hits and seven runs scored in the series sweep of Pacific.
(May 4, 2008) - UCR used a six-run seventh inning to pick up a 6-5 win and complete a three-game sweep of the Pacific Tigers in Stockton, CA Sunday afternoon. Joey Gonzales finished off a monster weekend by picking up three more hits for the Highlanders (16-25, 10-5 Big West) who have won five of their last six and is now in sole possession of second place in the Big West standings.
Gonzales finished the weekend 7-for-14 and seven runs scored and Drew Garcia added three more RBI Sunday to finish the series with seven RBI. After rallying with two runs in the ninth to win the series opener on Friday, the Highlanders came back from a 5-0 deficit in the series finale to pick up their first series sweep this season.
The Highlander seventh started with Tony Nix reaching on a hit-by-pitch, followed by a Justin Shultz walk. Jordan Opdyke then singled home Nix for the first run of inning. A batter later, Carl Uhl got hit by the pitch to load the bases for Gonzales. He singled through the left side, bringing home Opdyke to make it a 5-2 ball game. The next batter was Garcia who smacked a bases-clearing triple to centerfielder to tie the game at 5-5. After another walk and fielder’s choice put runners on first and second. Nix, batting for the second time in the inning, doubled down the left field line to score Aaron Wible and give the Highlanders their 6-5 lead.
Nix and Opdyke each picked up two hits, scored a run, and drove in one. Gonzales also stole two bases.
