Natal and UCSD Slug Their Way to 8-1 Win

On a day for records and milestones, UC San Diego catcher Bob Natal reached two Thursday with one swing of his bat. Natal’s solo home run in the seventh inning was his 11th this season, tying his own school record and giving the Tritons 32 homers for the season, breaking the school record established last year. It also helped pad UCSD’s lead in the team’s 8-1 nonconference victory at Point Loma Nazarene College.

Natal also had an RBI single to lead the Tritons to their ninth straight victory, the 100th career win for Coach Lyle Yates. UCSD’s Dan DiMascio was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Pitcher Casey Morales (2-2) scattered 11 hits over eight innings to get the win. Steve Napier was the top hitter for Point Loma Nazarene, with three singles in four at-bats. Marty Brown was the losing pitcher.

UCSD is 18-14-1. The Crusaders are 13-26-1.