A Pitcher's Duel
The 2026 Big West Baseball Championship delivered a nail‑biting finish on Friday night as the second‑seeded Cal Poly Mustangs edged the third‑seeded UC San Diego Tritons 1‑0.
The solitary run came in the bottom of the second inning when shortstop Nate Castellon’s infield single brought home Jake Downing, giving the Mustangs an early lead that would prove decisive.
Starter Griffin Naess worked 7.2 innings, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out 11, before handing the ball to closer Nick Bonn, who sealed the victory with 1.1 shutout innings and a 13th save of the season.
UC San Diego’s ace Steele Murdock matched the effort with eight innings of his own, surrendering three hits and four walks but striking out 11, yet the Tritons could not find a response.
The relief effort of Nick Bonn also escaped a ninth‑inning jam with the bases loaded, striking out the side to preserve the lead.
With the win, Cal Poly advances to face top‑seeded UC Santa Barbara on May 22 at 1 p.m., while UC San Diego now turns its attention to an elimination showdown against Cal State Fullerton later that evening.