UC San Diego shutout Catawba College 5-0 Sunday to move to the winner’s bracket of the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships in Cary, N.C.
They will play at 4 p.m. Tuesday against the University of Tampa, which beat Mercyhurst 4-2 following UCSD’s victory. The games are live-streamed at NCAA.com.
Triton Preston Mott (9-1) notched the UCSD win, giving up four singles and a walk, while striking out six. Reliever Cameron Leonard offered solid support.
UCSD’s offense was led by second-baseman Ryan McNally and centerfielder Christopher Schasteen, who hit back-to-back home runs, and third-baseman Alex Eliopulos and rightfielder R.J. Prince, who each got two hits.
Coach Eric Newman tweeted, “#TheTideisRising,” after his team’s win.
UCSD, which improved to 41-14, scored five runs in a rally in the top of the 5th inning to overcome the No. 3 seed. The Tritons are seeded 6th in the eight-team tournament.
In addition, Catawba, located about 120 miles from Cary, had local fan support.
The USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary is serving as host for the championships for the tenth time in the last 11 seasons.
– Staff reports
