Slugs Crush Merced, Open Conference With Win.  (02-26-2007)

The runs came in bunches for The University of California at Santa Cruz Baseball team as they dropped UC Merced 11-1 in their first game of Southern Pacific Region action. The second and third games of the series were rained out and have been rescheduled for Sunday, March 11th.

The highlight of the game for the Slugs was the pitching performance turned in by Jeremy Abrams. Throwing his first game of the season, Abrams pumped out a complete game, allowing just one unearned run while sitting down 16 Bobcats via strikeout. With Abrams holding Merced in check, the offense banded together to put up eleven runs in solid team fashion, lead by second baseman Ryan Layne, who was 3-4 with 2 runs batted in. Deny Delgadillo knocked his second double of the season, giving him the national lead early in the season.

The Slugs now 6-3 on the year and 1-0 in conference play, will spend the next week on the road, competing in the annual "Swing into Spring" Tournament in Mesquite Nevada. The tournament features four games for the Slugs against very stellar competition. The Slugs will eventually return home the following weekend to make up the games against Merced. Updates on the Mesquite Tournament can be found daily on the Slugs's website, beginning the night of Thursday, March 1st.

Slugs Sweep Simpson, Fall to Western Nevada  (02-19-2007)

The University of California at Santa Cruz Slug Baseball team split a weekend of games, sweeping Simpson University in Redding, CA, while falling in a doubleheader to Western Nevada CC in Carson City, NV. The weekend moves the Slugs's overall record to 5-3, just one week before the conference season begins.

The weekend opened with the Slugs taking on NAIA opponent Simpson University in Redding, CA. Bill Rose was sent to the mound for the Slugs. A first inning homerun by Simpson cleanup hitter Danny Button pushed the Redhawks in front, but Rose settled down and proceeded to pitch five consecutive shutout innings. The Slugs gained control of the game in the fifth, pushing across four runs as they rattled off a series of base hits. After adding two more runs in the sixth, the Slugs carried a 6-2 lead into the final inning. Rose was sent to the mound to finish his work. Despite giving up two additional runs, Rose was able to finish the game and pick up the win.

Game two of the doubleheader was a nailbiter. The Slugs took command of the game in the fourth with a two run double by Dustin Smith, making the score 4-1. Simpson fought back against Slug starter Eli Greenwald, eventually tying the game in the sixth at four. Neither team was able to score in an uneventful seventh inning, forcing an extra frame, the Slugs's second such game in as many weeks. Pinch hitter Bill Rose and rightfielder George Williams lead off the eighth with consecutive hits, and Kofi Ibsen, pinch running for Rose, was pushed across by a Pat Mulshine single, giving the Slugs a 5-4 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Simpson immediately delivered two singles and a sacrifice bunt, putting runners on second and third with only one out. After an intentional walk, Redhawk leadoff hitter Cal Langford drove a fly ball into center field. Slug centerfielder Deny Delgadillo caught the ball and fired home, gunning down the Redhawk runner for the last out of the inning. "The team showed a lot of guts today," Coach Connor said. "We fought all the way through and won with some great defense." Additionally, Coach Connor praised leftfielder Dustin Smith for several spectacular catches in left field.

After winning two from Simpson, the Slugs traveled to Carson City, Nevada to face powerful Western Nevada CC. The Wildcats, ranked 24th in the preseason NJCAA poll, were hosting the Slugs in frigid temperatures. The first game saw Slug ace Dylan Murphy clash with the Wildcat hitters. Murphy threw an impressive complete game, giving up only two runs. But two runs were enough for the Wildcats as a Dustin Smith RBI single was the only run the Slugs were able to manufacture. The Slugs left runners in scoring position several times late in the game, but weren't able to capitalize and steal a win from WNCC.

The second game of the doubleheader saw the Slugs beginning to succumb to fatigue in light of the long weekend. Bryan Vargas started on the mound and pitched well, but was bitten by some uncharacteristic errors by his defense. Vargas gave up seven runs over the course of five innings, but only three were earned. Corbin Prychun pitched well in relief for the Slugs, but when the dust settled, the Wildcats came out with a 9-0 victory. The highlight of the Slugs offense was Dustin Smith, who collected both of the Slugs two hits in the game. "They were a real good ballclub, featuring some players who have a bright baseball future ahead of them," Coach Connor said. "I was proud of how our guys performed, and it should definately make us a better team for the rest of the season." Coach Connor added that the Wildcats were easily the best team on the Slugs's schedule this season.

After a long weekend of traveling and playing 31 innings in two days, the Slugs will be out of action until next weekend, when they open the 2007 Conference season with UC Merced. The first game of the series will begin Saturday at 12 pm at Watsonville High School. The third game of the series, to be played on Sunday, will be broadcast locally on the radio by KZSC at 88.1 fm, and streamed lived to the rest of the world from the internet at kzsc.com. The broadcast and the game are set to begin at 2 pm.

Slugs Open Season with Three Wins  (02-12-2007)

The UCSC Slug Baseball team officially opened the 2007 campaign with a 3-1 roadtrip through Southern California. The weekend saw the Slugs sweep NCAA squad Caltech in a doubleheader Saturday, while splitting a Sunday twinbill with familair foe Loyola Marymount. While the team was able to pick up three wins on the weekend, Coach Connor noted that they were not happy with the overall performance. "We definately performed at a level inferior to our talent," Coach said.

The first game Saturday saw Jadd Correia pitch the Slugs to a 7-3 victory. Correia threw six innings against the Caltech Beavers and only gave up two unearned runs. The offense was lead by leadoff hitter Deny Delgadillo, who swiped three bases over the course of the game.

Game two of the doubleheader saw the Slugs stumble to a slow start, as the Beavers jumped out to an early lead. But shortstop Pat Mulshine brought the Slugs back with booming home-run to right field. With the game tied 5-5 after seven innings, an extra frame was forced. Freshman Carlos Carranza came through in his pinch hit at-bat, knocking in the go-ahead run. Despite the extra innings, Bill Rose pitched a complete game and picked up the win.

The first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the LMU Lions was dominated by Slug righty Dylan Murphy. The senior ace threw a complete game shutout, scattering just four hits while striking out five batters. The Slug offense pushed across four runs in the game, which was more than enough for Murphy to pick up the win. Delgadillo once again lead the offense, going was 2-3 with a double and two runs scored. But even more impressive was the performance of the Slug defense as they flashed their trademark leather, highlighted by an unbeliveable double play started by third baseman Darren Weiss. "We have one of the best defenses in the country," Coach Connor said, "And I think we proved in on Sunday."

The Slugs's three game winning streak was finally snapped in the second game against the Lions. As fatigue set in on the long weekend, the Slug bats fell silent against Lion starter Nicholas Borchers. Bryan Vargas threw a gutsy five innings for the Slugs and left in a tie game, but the bullpen gave up five runs to end the winning streak. "I think everyone was tired in the game," said Coach Connor. "It was a long weekend, and they aren't used to the grind of the season yet, but we'll get their. You can just see the talent on the field, especially on defense and on the mound. This is going to be a great team." The Slugs will resume action on Wednesday night with a home game against Bethany College. The game is slated to begin at 7pm at Watsonville High School with the Slugs assuming the home team role against their in-county rivals. After Wednesday's game, they will once again head out on a long weekend trip. Saturday will feature a doubleheader against Simpson University in Redding, while Sunday will see the Slugs against powerful Western Nevada CC in Carson City, Nevada.

KZSC Announces Slug Radio Broadcast  (02-02-2007)