Baseball | 2/11/2010 11:45:32 PM

Box Score [Box score]

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. - The Western Oregon baseball team saw its four-run comeback effort spoiled when No. 11 Sonoma State scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth to win the series-opener 8-7, Thursday, Feb. 11.

WOU (0-7) came back from down 7-3 with two runs in the both seventh and the eighth to knot the game at 7-7. The Seawolves (5-1) then mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the eighth to earn the win. With two outs and a runner on first, Sonoma State received three straight walks from Chad Lynch to force in the go-ahead run from third base and take an 8-7 lead into the ninth.

The Wolves attempted to mount another rally in their half of the ninth, but their final effort fell short. Garrett Breda led off with a single, and Alex Yeaney entered the game to pinch run for him. Cesar Lopez then sacrificed Yeaney to second base, and then Kory Smith was hit by a pitch, putting two runners on with one out. The two runners then performed a double steal as Daniel Dillard struck out, putting two runners in scoring position with two outs. However, Sonoma State then went to their bullpen for Joey Van Cleave who struck out Logan Lotti to end the game.

"We are fighting to get over the hump," Western Oregon head coach Jeremiah Robbins said. "We have showed signs of the team we could be; we just need to be more consistent.

"The kids have to stick with it and keep working to be competitive every inning and finish each game," Robbins continued. "We have to continue to focus on the small goals, and we will eventually reach our goal at the end."

Brian Bordagaray (2-0) earned the win in relief after entering the game in the top of the eighth to diffuse the Wolves' rally. Van Cleave collected his first save of the season after facing just one batter. Chad Lynch (0-1) was charged with the loss after giving up the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth.

"We need to start minimizing mistakes," Robbins noted. "This has been a goofy start to what will be a very good season."

Kyle Boe and Garrett Breda led the Wolves in the batter's box as each collected three hits. Logan Lotti added two runs batted in and three runs scored, as he reached base in three of his four plate appearances. Cesar Lopez and Grant Glover also added two hits apiece.

The series between Western Oregon and Sonoma State has been altered again. The teams will now play a single nine inning game Friday at 2:00 p.m., and complete their series with a doubleheader, Saturday (Feb. 13), starting at 11:00 a.m.