Box Score AZUSA, Calif. – Early pitching fireworks gave way to a home team celebration late.
For the second straight week Daniel Martin provided the game winning hit as his walk-off single in the tenth inning scored Austin Shives with two outs to lift the Cougars to a 2-1 win in their home opener on Friday evening over Cal Poly Pomona.
Martin's Walk Off Single
The game was a highly anticipated affair between the geographic rivals as two of the best pitchers in the region started the game; and pitching dominated the early innings. Cougar starter Josh Staumont struck out seven through the first four innings while Bronco hurler Cody Ponce set down five via the strikeout.
While neither starter factored into the decision each showed their electric arms. Staumont went 5.2 innings, struck out nine and gave-up five hits. Ponce worked through 4.1 innings by striking out six and giving up just two hits
Staumont got into a bit of a jam as Cal Poly Pomona (4-1) loaded the bases with a hit and a pair of walks in the second inning. However, the junior worked out of situation with a two-out pop-up to shortstop. Cal Poly Pomona's second attempt to get on the scoreboard was also thwarted in the fifth inning. Despite putting runners on second and third base with one-out, Staumont got a fielders choice groundout in which the runner was out home plate then a ground to second base to end the half inning.
In the sixth inning Nick Cooksey broke the scoreless tie with a solo homerun to rightfield.
The scored remained 1-0 Broncos until Azusa Pacific (5-1) rallied in the eighth inning. Pablo O'Connor worked a walk to start then inning then Austin Shives hustled out a bunt single then advance to second base on a throwing error. Michael Staudinger pinch hit and earned a walk to load the bases with no one out. The tying run scored when Max Bethell balked before throwing his next pitch. Despite having runners on second and third base with no outs the Broncos worked out the jam without giving up a run.
Neither team was able to get a runner to second base until the Martin heroics in the tenth inning.
The five wins through six games is the best six game start for a Cougars squad since 2011. Tomorrow the two teams are back at it as Cal Poly Pomona hosts the Cougars at Noon.
