Mustangs split four-game series with Sac State

With both Mark Mathias and Brian Mundell in the lineup, players like Zack Zehner (pictured) and Peter Van Gansen are able to spread the load of carrying the Mustang lineup. By Owen Main

After being shut-out in the middle two games of their series with Sacramento State, Cal Poly got first baseman Brian Mundell back and salvaged a series split with a 6-4 victory.

Mundell, who hadn’t played int he field in about three weeks with a hamstring injury, hit two home runs and drove in four in the 6-4 Cal Poly victory that improved Cal Poly’s record to 6-11 on the season.

Along with Mundell’s two home runs, three things stood out from the Sunday game.

Pitching backwards?

Larry Lee started Michael Gomez for the first time on Sunday afternoon. The freshman from Upland gave up four runs in three innings before giving way to Justin Calomeni, who has been the Sunday starter prior to this weekend.

Calomeni responded by pitching maybe his best game of the year. The sophomore righty gave up no runs, scattered three hits, and struck-out five and walked just one while pitching the final six innings of the game.

I kind of like the idea of experimenting with various pitchers given that Cal Poly is struggling to find consistency this year. I also like it with regard to the Times Through the Order Penalty, which is documented in the majors.

Mundell and Mathias in the lineup together

For the first time this season, Brian Mundell and Mark Mathias appeared in the lineup at the same time. Mundell, who has been the designated hitter each of the past two seasons, might have been able to do it again as he nurses his hamstring. But Mathias is still rehabbing from labrum surgery and so Mundell played in the field.

He didn’t seem to mind.

They win when they don’t make mistakes

Cal Poly hasn’t had a stellar defensive team to date this season. The few times they don’t make errors in games, they seem to be a lot more successful.

Sunday was just the fourth time in 17 games that Cal Poly has made zero errors. They are 3-1 in those games.

Trojans are coming

Next up for Cal Poly is USC this weekend. The Trojans are one of the best teams on the West coast this year and come in sporting a 17-3 record. They are also 12-time NCAA champions. The two teams split two games in Los Angeles last season on a rainy weekend.

Photos (from Saturday night) by Owen Main