Western Courier

Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Adam Sacasa Senior pitcher Justin Eissens appeared in two games over break, allowing two hits and one earned run in four innings.

The Leatherneck baseball team found little reward for good pitching and solid defense over Spring Break, earning one of the biggest wins in team history but little else.

The Leathernecks (1-9) found their groove against No. 7/9 Long Beach State, shutting out the 49ers in a 3-0 victory last Tuesday.

"It was the biggest win in baseball school history," said coach Stan Hyman. "We know we're capable of competing with the best in the nation."

Junior Eric Eden (1-1) pitched six innings, giving up three hits, and earned the win for the Leathernecks. Four pitchers combined in perfect relief of Eden, including senior Frank Zenisek, who closed out the game and earned his first save of the year. The hard-throwing Zenisek could see more save opportunities with the club's proven starter, Todd Nelson, still working his way through early injuries.

The 'Necks' offense tallied all three of the team's runs in the first three innings. The No. 4, 5 and 6 spots all came through with RBIs, and junior catcher Cooper Stewart knocked a triple to right center, extending his hitting streak to five games.

The perfect start in California would be short- lived as the pitching of No. 29 Pepperdine and No. 21 San Diego stifled the Leatherneck bats.

The 'Necks' pitching and fielding stayed strong in the warmer climate and kept the team in both games, but the lack of clutch hitting spoiled the opportunities.

In the final game in southern California the hitters found their stroke again, putting up 11 hits against Point Loma, but still couldn't come through with the big base hits and lost 1-4.

"We played well and we should and could have won all of those games," Hyman said. "We have the pitching and defense to win a championship and we hit. We just didn't score."

The whole trip started with four games against Oklahoma (14-5) on March 7. The series opener was a blowout loss, 12-2, and was followed up by three more games of Sooner offense.

The 'Necks allowed a minimum of seven runs in each of the games and lost every contest by at least three runs.

"Our record does not show or tell how good we are," Hyman said. "I'm not concerned with our record and I honestly believe we will get going on an extended streak with this team."

The Leathernecks start a three-game weekend series at Purdue this Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon.

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