San Diego: Waves Load Bases, Pick up Run

By Jason Owens - April 30, 2007

Pepperdine picked up another run in the seventh to cut the deficit to 4-3, but it looked like it was going to be a lot worse for the Toreros. Ryan Heroy led off the inning with a single and the next two batters reached on bunts. Luke Salas placed a great bunt and simply outran the throw at first while Denny Duron reached when pitcher Matt Couch misplayed the ball.

San Diego coach Rich Hill had seen enough and brought freshman reliever A.J. Griffin out of the bullpen. Griffin built a 1-2 count against pinch hitter Joseph Evans but ended up hitting Evans with a 2-2 count to force in a run.

Matt Aidem was the second pinch hitter of the inning and fouled out to Shane Buschini in right field. Buschini made a great play to get the ball back to the infield to hold Salas at third. Then leadoff hitter Adrian Ortiz hit a ground ball to short that forced out Salas at home. Salas ran into catcher Jordan Abruzzo on his slide and the home plate umpire called interference as Abruzzo threw to first base for the third out.

This is the third bases-loaded situation of the game and they’ve only amounted to one run scored.