CARY, N.C. – The two-seeded Columbus State rode the arm of Perez Knowles into the late innings to secure their spot in the winner’s bracket with a 6-0 shutout over the third seeded UC San Diego in the eighth game of the 2018 Division II Baseball Championship.
The championship is being held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, and is being co-hosted by the Town of Cary and the University of Mount Olive.
Columbus State advanced in the winner’s bracket and will await their opponent (winner between Florida Southern/Texas A&M-Kingsville) on Thursday, May 31. UC San Diego suffered their first loss of the championship, and will face Southern New Hampshire in an elimination game on Wednesday.
The Cougars were able to break through on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning as a one-out walk sparked an early rally. Chase Brown drew a four pitch walk before Robert Brooks put runners on the corners. Gunar Drinnen doubled down the left field line to score the opening two runs of the contest for the Cougars to lead 2-0.
CSU continued their two-out hitting, scoring a run picking up two hits with two outs. Garrett Kirkwood singled to right before Austin Pharr and Chase Brown found the holes in the infield to increase their lead to 3-0.
UC San Diego would get into the hit column in the bottom of the fourth inning as Shay Whitcomb delivered a perfectly placed hit in between the second basemen and right fielder. CSU’s starter, Perez Knowles, produced a flyout and strikeout to end the inning.
Three hits to open the fifth inning for the Cougars would chase Triton’s starter, Preston Mott. Garrett Kirkwood sparked the rally with a lead-off single up the middle. Following a lineout, Austin Pharr doubled to right field before Chase Brown delivered a two-RBI single to stretch the lead to 5-0.
In the sixth inning, Columbus State added their final tally of the contest, once again with two outs. Grant Berry singled to right field before Grant Kirkwood doubled to center field to score Berry.
The Tritons picked up a lead-off hit by Alex Eliopulos in the bottom half of the inning. Eliopulus moved to second on a ground ball and reached third on a passed ball. UCSD would strand the runner in scoring position.
UC San Diego looked to break up the shutout in the bottom of the seventh as Zander Clarke drew a lead-off walk against the Cougars’ bullpen. Alex Eliopulos singled before Justin Beck loaded the bases with a full-count walk. The Cougars would get out of the inning with a double play.
Blake Baumgartner and Nick Kitzmann drew walks to start the ninth inning, but would be left on the bags as UC San Diego left 12 runners on the bases in the contest.
Quotes
Columbus State
Head coach Greg Appleton
“It was a well-played game on our part. We got some timely hits from Chase (Brown) and Gunar Drinnen, and then Perez (Knowles) just took over and pitched a great game. It was a great win for us against a very good club.”
“Perez made some very good pitches. Maybe we got lucky here and there, especially in the eighth when we got the double-play ball with the bases loaded. But that’s pitching – making those pitches and getting out of trouble.”
“I’m glad we got it done early, because the guys that came into pitch for UC San Diego late had very good arms. I definitely wouldn’t want to fall behind to them late.”
“Beating a really good team in UC San Diego was big for us and it put us in a good position. But we’re not done by any stretch. There are a lot of good teams left and a lot of work left to be done.”
Starting pitcher Perez Knowles
“I was just trying to keep my heart rate calm and execute the pitch that coach was calling.”
“Some of the guys joked around with me and said, ‘you’ve got to step it up now’ (after the performance of Ingram on Sunday). I just try to go out there and do my thing, control what I can control. But yes, I use it as motivation.”
Designated hitter Chase Brown
“We always preach about getting two-out hits and how they come up big. Tonight was just one of those nights we were able to get them.”
“I saw a couple of pitches and was waiting to see something I could handle. I was able to get it done.”
UC San Diego
Head coach Eric Newman
“Columbus State’s guy, Knowles, pitched really well. He wiggled out of some trouble a couple of different times. I thought we hit some balls hard. But we just didn’t do enough of that. Our at-bats were not consistent enough when we had those opportunities, and they capitalized on virtually every opportunity they had with two outs and two strikes. At this time of year, that’s often what the game ultimately comes down to.”
“Really, at this point, it’s pretty simple now – you just have to win the next one. … We were in this position last year. You know what’s in front of you, and you know what’s at stake. You know what you have to do today, and you don’t worry about anything else.”
Second baseman Justin Beck
“Knowing our offense, it was a little frustrating. We put ourselves in position where we could score. I think five or six times we had a runner reach at least second base. But we would help them out or hit a ball right at them.”
“We just have to come out and string quality at-bats together. As a hitter, I’m antsy to get going tomorrow, because I want to play. This doesn’t feel good, but as a competitor – and I know the team is the same way – we’re ready to flush it and ready to go tomorrow.”