Junior pitcher Zach Hedges went 8.2 innings, almost pitching his second complete game in as many starts. He struck out 12 in the win on Friday, March 21. Photo credit: Steven Mercado
Azusa Pacific junior pitcher Zach Hedges capped off a week of strong pitching performances from the Cougars by leading the team to a 5-1 victory over the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros on Friday, March 21. Hedges threw 12 strikeouts, pitched for 8.2 innings and kept a three-hit shutout going into the top of the ninth.
Hedges’ 12 Ks were a season high for the pitcher, who currently leads the Cougars in ERA with a 1.04. He placed second in the Pacific West Conference with that statistic.
“[Zach] did a great job … and he gave us a shot to win, putting zeros up after we got two [runs] early was a real boost to our team offensively and defensively, so I’m real proud of the way he pitched today,” head coach Paul Svagdis said.
In the top of the ninth, Hedges gave up a double to senior third baseman Danny Haley and a single to senior shortstop Peter Ives with one out. He got senior right fielder Bubby Rossman to groundout, but Haley scored a run on the play, breaking any chances of a shutout. With Hedges’ pitch count at 127, pitching coach John Verhoeven decided that was enough and brought junior pitcher Luis Martinez in to take down the last batter.
Each of the Cougars’ starting pitchers this season has shown the capability of pitching late into games. Hedges was one out away from throwing his second consecutive complete game.
“[Zach] is a strong kid in general. He trains real hard and he takes care of his body,” Svagdis said. “I think he, Josh, Joel and McCreery are big, physical kids. Going in to the seventh, probably because they’re competitive, they realize, ‘Hey, right now I have to dig in deep and we can win this game if I bring out a little something extra.’ I think all four guys have done that, and I think that’s what Zach did today.”
According to Hedges, the key to keeping the Toros off-balance was mixing it up, keeping them guessing and picking the right spots.
“We really got the slider back today,” Hedges said. “We were really focusing on putting it in a place where we can get a K or where they can get themselves out. They’re tough hitters, so it was also a good challenge to battle and know that I had to make really good pitches, but we’re just mixing it up and trying not to stick to a fastball plan.”
While Hedges had a great performance, the offense attacked early, giving him run support. Sophomore left fielder Mitch Dergazarian walked with one out in the bottom of the first inning and advanced to second due to a balk from Toros senior pitcher David Haerle. Senior right fielder Matt Kimmel then doubled down the left field line on a 0-1 count to bring Dergazarian home for the first run of the game. Kimmel stole third and junior first baseman Jordan Brower hit a sacrifice fly to left field, bringing Kimmel home to make the score 2-0.
The Cougars tacked on some insurance runs in the sixth inning. A two-out double from sophomore catcher Joe Huthsing was immediately followed by a two-run home run off the first pitch from senior third baseman Danny Gonzales.
In the bottom of the seventh, junior second baseman Blake James led off with a double down the right field line. Junior center fielder Joseph Daris then grounded out to first, advancing James to third. Dergazarian singled to left to bring in James for the Cougars’ final run of the game.
“The hitters realize once we get a couple of runs and put zeros up, it’s just a matter of time before they can put a few more guys in scoring position and push a few more across,” Svagdis said. “Danny Gonzales, I was really excited for him. He’s been coming in off the bench and for him to get his first home run of the year, it was really exciting.”
Svagdis said the Cougars are doing well with their offensive production, but a true test of their offense will be on the road. The team has two more home games before playing 21 consecutive road games.
“We can’t count on a three-run jack all the time when we’re on the road,” Svagdis said. “We’ve been really focusing on how to be better execution-oriented in those situations and they did it against a good team, so it was a good day there.”
The win brings Azusa Pacific to a 16-6 record. The Cougars will start next week with a pair of games against UC San Diego on Monday, March 24 and Tuesday, March 25, before the team plays a pair of games at Point Loma to end the month.