San Diego Sports et Cetera : Toreros Feel Better, Rally to Win Over St. Mary’s

The University of San Diego baseball team--which hasn’t been able to rely on its No. 1 pitcher because he’s been ineffective, or some of its top hitters because they’ve been hurt--may finally be getting well.

And since it’s time for West Coast Athletic Conference play to begin, the timing couldn’t be better.

Louis Skertich, who started out as the Toreros’ ace and then worked himself out of the rotation by losing four of his first five decisions, pitched his finest game of the season Friday, limiting St. Mary’s to one hit in six innings of relief as USD rallied for a 6-3 victory in its WCAC opener at Cunningham Stadium.

Third baseman Andy Roberts, who missed 10 games earlier this season, completed the Toreros’ comeback--they trailed, 3-0, after three innings--when he hit his second home run with two runners on to snap a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the ninth.

“It’s good to have everybody available to be able to put them on the lineup card,” USD Coach John Cunningham said. “We haven’t had that luxury much this season.”

Along with Roberts, who returned a couple of weeks ago, first baseman Sean Baron has come back after he missed 15 games with an ankle injury. Baron went 0 for 3 Friday, but his mere presence in the cleanup spot gives USD a big boost.

Skertich gave USD (14-12, 1-0) its biggest boost Friday. Skertich, a sophomore left-hander, entered the game in the fourth inning with a 1-4 record and a 6.21 earned run average. But he retired 19 of the 21 batters he faced, including the last eight, and picked off one of the two baserunners.

Meanwhile, USD was busy chipping away at St. Mary’s early lead, tying the game on Dave Rolls’ seventh home run with the bases empty in the sixth.

In the ninth, after Rick Doane and Steve Skamnes singled, Roberts hit losing pitcher David Halligan’s first pitch over the right-field fence.

FOOTBALL

Denny Stolz, San Diego State football coach, said better intensity on defense highlighted the Aztecs’ second scrimmage of the spring Friday afternoon.

On offense, Stolz was impressed with freshman fullback Jim Jennings, who carried 4 times for 26 yards and caught 1 pass for 5.

Quarterback Brad Platt completed 9 of 11 passes for 122 yards; Scott Barrick was 6 for 15 for 44 yards.

Second-team safety David Cooper dislocated his left shoulder.

MEN’S TENNIS

The University of San Diego swept six singles matches and went on to an 8-1 victory over Washington in the first round of the USD Invitational Team Tennis Tournament. Dan Mattera, Mark Farren and Chris Smith all lost first sets but rallied to win for USD (11-7). The Toreros will meet Yale in a semifinal match today.