Wolves Season Over, Finish 40-16

Photo Courtesy: WOU

KEIZER - Reliever Jacob Cathey wild pitched home the winning run in the eighth inning during an intentional walk as fourth-seeded Cal State L.A. (35-15) eliminated top-seed Western Oregon 7-4 Saturday in a loser-out game at the NCAA Division II West Regional baseball playoffs at Volcanoes Stadium.

The win advances the Golden Eagles to Sunday`s noon championship game against defending regional champion Chico State. If the second-seeded Wildcats lose that game, a second championship game will follow.

CSULA struck for three runs in the eighth after Western Oregon (40-16) had tied the game in the top of the eighth. The Wolves loaded the bases as first baseman Kevin Corrigan singled and designated Coubi Jiles walked against Manny Hernandez. Arturo Reyes, the second of two relievers, then walked Brent Mertens, who was up their to sacrifice, on four straight pitches.

But Reyes then got pinch-hitter Travis Coursey to bounce into a double play as Corrigan scored the tying run, avoiding a big inning for the Wolves.

In the bottom of the eighth, first baseman R.J. Brown slammed a double to center field on a 3-0 pitch from losing pitcher Andrew Renyer. Right fielder Jacob Ferris then singled to right off of Cathey as Brown advanced to third.

Brown was then out in a run down as third baseman Jeff Carroll bounced to third. Ferris and Carroll advanced to third and second during the rundown setting up an intentional walk situation to Matt Winkelman. But, on the fourth ball, Cathey`s pitch eluded catcher Jason Pohl, allowing Ferris to score.

Catcher Henry Contreras then scored Carroll on a sacrifice bunt and left fielder Tommy Horning singled to plate Winkelman for an insurance run.

For five innings, the game was a pitching duel between starters Sam Huston for Western Oregon and Cal State`s Hector Molina.

Huston didn`t allow a run until Contreras and shortstop Felipe Gallo each doubled in the bottom of the fifth, while Molina blanked the Wolves until the sixth when Coubi Jiles cleared the bases with a three-run double to put WOU ahead 3-1.

The Golden Eagles then took advantage of a misplayed fly ball to jump start a three-run bottom of the sixth. Second baseman Jack Roche led off the inning with a double after right fielder Boo Christenson stumbled going after the fly.

Brown then singled to score Roche. After a single by Ferris and a wild pitch, Carroll grounded out to drive in Brown and Ferris scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball.

Reyes (5-3) didn`t allow a run in two innings to receive credit for the victory, while Renyer (6-3) was charged with the loss.

For the game, the Wolves managed just four hits, including two off of Molina, who pitched six innings and didn`t allow an earned run.

He walked four and struck out four. Whitney Wilson had two of the four hits.

Brown had three of the Golden Eagles` 10 hits, while Jack Roche and Ferris had two each.

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