A Dominant Display at the Big West Tournament
The Tritons erupted early, scoring four runs in the second inning and adding a fifth in the fifth to build a 5‑1 lead that would prove decisive. Five Tritons collected multiple hits, and four of them drove in a pair of runs, underscoring the depth of their offense.
Cal Poly’s opening frame featured a leadoff single by Alejandro Garza and a walk by Ryan Tayman, but the Mustangs could only muster a single run when Cam Hoiland drove in Garza. Austin Bowker then shut down the lineup for 6 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs and six hits.
On the mound, junior southpaw Josh Volmerding gave up four runs and four hits over four innings, while the Tritons’ pitching staff, anchored by Trevor Rector, kept the pressure on. The game was called with one out in the bottom of the eighth due to the 10‑run rule, ending the contest early.
The loss left the Mustangs with a familiar narrative: they must win the Sunday rematch to claim their ninth conference championship in program history. Alejandro Garza, now at 248 career hits, will look to add to his legacy, while Gavin Spiridonoff’s seventh‑inning home run proved the only spark for Cal Poly.
Sunday’s championship finale will feature a pitching duel between Corden Pettey for Cal Poly and Trevor Rector for UC San Diego. Both teams have already proven their mettle, with the Tritons advancing after a 7‑0 shutout of UC Santa Barbara earlier in the week.