Pack splits second set of games on California trip

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The ThunderWolves' starting pitching continued to show consistency as the Pack earned an 8-5 win over Cal Poly Pomona followed by a rought 6-5 loss to Cal State-San Bernardino in the nightcap.

The Pack's number-two starter, Nick Balentine, threw seven solid innings of eight-hit ball wall the Pack offense teed off to earn the win over Pomona. Against CSUSB, it was a different story, as a short but effective start by Joe Proto, who allowed only five hits and one run in five innings, collapsed behind a shaky bullpen that imploded with a walk-off triple in the ninth that gave the Coyotes an improbable victory.

Reliever Chris Garcia gave up three runs in 1-1/3 innings while Ian O'Connor gave up two more in 1-2/3 innings. Closer Jesus Hernandez, still rattled after giving up two runs in the final inning of the Pack's win over Cal Poly Pomona, allowed the triple that won the game for CSUSB.

The bullpen undid an offensive performance that saw the top of the Pack's order come through in a big way for the third game this season. The Pack's 1-2-3 punch of Rutger Bovard, Mike Sanchez and Jon Proesl have gone an impressive 18-for-39 over the first three games, including 5-for-13 against Pomona.

After the split, the Pack fell to 2-1 on the season.