Baseball | 2/5/2010 6:54:27 PM

Box Score [Box score]

LA JOLLA, Calif. - UC San Diego put up six runs in the bottom of the first inning en route to spoiling the season-opener for Western Oregon baseball team 12-6, Friday, Feb. 5.

Vance Albitz and Robert Sedin hit back-to-back home runs to lead off the game, and after two outs were recorded, the Tritons put seven straight runners on base to take a six-run first inning lead.

Blake Keitzman (0-1) was saddled with his first lost in a Wolves' uniform after starting his career at 9-0. He was charged with eight earned runs and 11 hits in loss. Tim Shibuya (2-0) earned the win for UCSD. He went seven innings allowing eight hits and four runs.

Despite falling behind early the Wolves continued to fight. Daniel Dillard hit a two-run homer in the third inning, and Andrew Irvine added another two-run shot in the sixth to bring the game to 10-4. WOU would pull within four runs at 10-6 in the eighth inning on a two-run double by Kyle Boe with the bases loaded, but they would get no closer.

"Our hitters did a good job and kept us in it," said Western Oregon head coach Jeremiah Robbins.

Senior pitcher Dustin Fulks also was an integral of the Wolves' efforts to stay in the game. He came out of the bullpen in the fourth inning and held the Tritons to two hits and two unearned runs, while striking out four over three innings of work.

"Fulks was phenomenal today and allowed us to get back in the game," said Robbins. "We couldn't ask for more with the game about to get out of hand.

"I thought it was a good overall effort by our guys to keep it interesting when we could have folded," continued Robbins. "I like that we found a way to compete to the last out."

Dillard finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Boe and Cesar Lopez also both collected two hits apiece for WOU. Jason Moseby reached base all four of his plate appearances, with a 1-for-1 effort in the box and three hit-by-pitches.

Albitz led the Tritons going 4-for-5, while Aaron Bauman was 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

"Their hitters responded well," noted Robbins. "People are always going to gear up for a MLB draftee (Keitzman)."

The Wolves are scheduled to continue their four-game series with the Tritons tomorrow (Feb. 6), with a doubleheader starting at 11:00 a.m. (weather permitting).

"We will be better than today," Robbins noted, "but I was excited to see what we can do."