Cal Poly’s baseball squad celebrated its 30th victory of the season on Tuesday, marking the third consecutive year the program has reached the milestone. The win, a 15‑10 decision over Fresno State, capped a midweek series that saw the Mustangs outhit their opponents 19 to 11 and swing momentum repeatedly.
Head Coach Larry Lee, now in his 24th season with the program, recorded his 15th 30‑win campaign, underscoring the consistency he has brought to a team that has navigated both triumphs and setbacks throughout the year.
The game featured six lead changes and a flurry of offense, with Cal Poly’s lineup delivering a barrage of hits that kept the scoreboard alive. Ryan Tayman, Casey Murray Jr., and Jake Downing combined for nine hits and five RBI, fueling a rally that kept the Mustangs in contention until the final innings.
Murray’s two‑run homer in the eighth inning proved decisive, flipping the lead and giving the Mustangs a narrow edge that they would protect through the closing outs. The blast was a turning point, shifting the energy in the stadium and cementing Murray’s role as a clutch performer.
Dylan Kordic, who has hit safely in eight of his last nine appearances, pushed his average above .300, adding to a lineup that boasts five of the Big West’s top‑25 home‑run hitters. The team’s power surge has been a hallmark of their recent stretch, contributing to a high batting average and a leading position in conference home‑run totals.
What’s at Stake
With one series remaining, Cal Poly finds itself deadlocked with UCSB at the summit of the Big West standings. The tiebreaker favors UCSB, meaning the Mustangs must gain a game in the final stretch to claim the regular‑season crown and the top seed for the conference tournament.
The stakes are amplified by the possibility that UCSB could sweep UC Riverside, a result that would lock the regular‑season title for the Gauchos and reshape the tournament bracket. Cal Poly’s final series begins Thursday, May 14 at 6:05 p.m. at Baggett Stadium, where every pitch could determine postseason destiny.