Box Score

SANTA CLARA, CA – In their first-ever NCAA Super Regional appearance, the Patriots faced off against the Golden Bears of California-Berkeley on Saturday night at Stephen Schott Stadium on the campus of Santa Clara University. The Patriots were silenced at the plate as the Cal-Berkeley pitching staff allowed only three hits in an outstanding performance on the mound by Justin Jones and Logan Scott. The Golden Bears defeated the Patriots, 7-0, to force a must-win situation for Dallas Baptist in game two.

The Bears jumped out to hot start in the top of the second inning as both Devon Rodriguez and Mitch Delfino recorded singles off senior pitcher Brandon Williamson. Cal-Berkeley's Chad Bunting stepped up to the plate in the second and drove a Williamson pitch over the left field wall, scoring Rodriguez and Delfino to give the Golden Bears an early 3-0 lead.

Williamson showed why his pick-off move is one of the quickest in the country as he picked off two Golden Bear runners in the second and third innings. The Patriots were unable to record any hits in the second, third, fourth, or fifth innings as Golden Bear pitcher Justin Jones silenced the Patriot offense. Through just five innings, Jones allowed only one hit, no walks, while striking out four DBU batters.

In the top of the sixth inning, Cal-Berkley's Marcus Semien tripled down the right field line to give the Golden Bears an early inning base runner. In the next at-bat, Golden Bear first baseman, Devon Rodriguez slapped a deep shot to center field to allow Semien to tag and score from third base, extending the Golden Bears' lead, 4-0.

Unexpectedly in the bottom of the seventh inning, while throwing warm-up pitches, Jones called Cal Berkeley's Athletic Trainer out to the field while holding his pitching arm. After a short meeting with the Cal Berkeley trainers and coaches, Golden Bear head coach David Esquer made the call to the bullpen and brought in RHP Logan Scott. Scott picked up right where Jones left off, as he was able to retire three consecutive Patriot batters in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Golden Bears extended their lead in the top of the eighth inning as Marcus Simien drove a towering three-run homerun over the left field wall, making the score 7-0.

After eight and two-thirds innings, Patriots head coach Dan Heefner called Junior Jordan Staples to the mound to relieve Williamson after throwing 118 pitches on the night. Staples was able to retire one to get the Patriots out of the inning.

Junior Michael Smith came to the mound in relief for Staples in the top of the ninth inning to finish the game for the Patriots.

The Patriots were shut down in the bottom of the ninth as the Golden Bears captured game one of the best of three series in the Santa Clara NCAA Super Regional. With the loss, the Patriots fall to 42-19 for the season.

Game two is scheduled for Sunday, June 12, at Stephen Schott Stadium. The first pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. (PST).