KRETCHMER THROWS 6 NO-HIT INNINGS IN RETURN TO THE MOUND

KYLE TREMBLEY
CONTRIBUTOR

Matt Kretchmer threw six innings of no-hit ball as Cal State San Marcos baseball snapped a short losing streak on Friday, defeating Azusa Pacific 3-1 at home.

CSUSM improves to 7-5 on the year. Azusa drops to 6-4. The second game of Friday’s scheduled double-header was rained out, but the cloudy skies did nothing to dampen the spirit of the CSUSM Cougars, who were anxious to get back in the win column after four straight losses.

Kretchmer was the story, as the tall lefty turned in a no-hit effort that was only halted by a high pitch count and a little wildness. The senior walked six and actually allowed a run, but struck out five and silenced Azusa’s bats. He picks up his first win as a Cougar.

Reliever Kyle Smart, who has been the top option out of the bullpen this season, did outstanding work as well. Smart inherited two runners on with no outs in the sixth, but limited Azusa to just one run and went on to close out the game and pick up a well-deserved save. Smart allowed 2 hits in 3 innings, walking none and striking out one.

At the plate, the CSUSM lineup did enough to win, including picking up a key insurance run late that gave the team some breathing room. The squad broke a scoreless tie in the fifth, as Jeremy Baum led off with a single to left, Johnny Omahen sacrificed him over, and Marco Arellano ripped an RBI double to the fence in left. After a strike out, Trent Jemmett delivered a big two out base knock to plate pinch runner Cory Mc- Closkey, putting CSUSM up 2-0.

In a 2-1 game in the eighth, center fielder Kyle Secciani took it upon himself to generate a run. He drew a walk, promptly stole second and third, and scored on a solid Ryle Parks base hit to center.

Smart worked around an error to finish out the contest, getting help from first baseman Austin Coleman, who made a very nice over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory on the game’s final out.

The second game lasted two innings before being rained out. That game will be scrapped, and the two teams will play again on Monday at Azusa Pacific in a single game starting at 3:00 p.m. Matt Kretchmer threw six innings of no-hit ball as Cal State San Marcos baseball snapped a short losing streak on Friday, defeating Azusa Pacific 3-1 at home.

CSUSM improves to 7-5 on the year. Azusa drops to 6-4. The second game of Friday’s scheduled double-header was rained out, but the cloudy skies did nothing to dampen the spirit of the CSUSM Cougars, who were anxious to get back in the win column after four straight losses.

Kretchmer was the story, as the tall lefty turned in a no-hit effort that was only halted by a high pitch count and a little wildness. The senior walked six and actually allowed a run, but struck out five and silenced Azusa’s bats. He picks up his first win as a Cougar.

Reliever Kyle Smart, who has been the top option out of the bullpen this season, did outstanding work as well. Smart inherited two runners on with no outs in the sixth, but limited Azusa to just one run and went on to close out the game and pick up a well-deserved save. Smart allowed 2 hits in 3 innings, walking none and striking out one.

At the plate, the CSUSM lineup did enough to win, including picking up a key insurance run late that gave the team some breathing room. The squad broke a scoreless tie in the fifth, as Jeremy Baum led off with a single to left, Johnny Omahen sacrificed him over, and Marco Arellano ripped an RBI double to the fence in left. After a strike out, Trent Jemmett delivered a big two out base knock to plate pinch runner Cory Mc- Closkey, putting CSUSM up 2-0.

In a 2-1 game in the eighth, center fielder Kyle Secciani took it upon himself to generate a run. He drew a walk, promptly stole second and third, and scored on a solid Ryle Parks base hit to center.

Smart worked around an error to finish out the contest, getting help from first baseman Austin Coleman, who made a very nice over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory on the game’s final out.

The second game lasted two innings before being rained out. That game will be scrapped, and the two teams will play again on Monday at Azusa Pacific in a single game starting at 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of csusm.edu.