AZUSA PACIFIC
BASEBALL RECAP

POMONA, CALIF. -- After 2 days of postponement caused by Tuesday's heavy rains, Azusa Pacific and Cal Poly Pomona finally renewed their neighborhood rival, only to have nothing determined after 9 innings. The 2 teams played to a 3-3 tie after the game was suspended because of darkness, Thursday afternoon. The game will likely stand as a tie and not be completed when Cal Poly returns a visit to Azusa Pacific later this month.

Chris Fusullo's 1-out double in the bottom of the eighth off the Cougars' top reliever, Chad Arko (Ferndale, Wash./Ferndale HS), scored Rocky Asbury from second enabling Cal Poly to come back and tie the game at 3-3.

The Cougars, who trailed 2-0 after 3 innnings play, took a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth when catcher Justin Duarte (Glendora, Calif./Charter Oak HS) cranked his first home run of the season, a 1-out, 2-run shot that scored Shane Petrelli (Las Vegas, Nev./Bonanza HS) ahead of him. The score remained the way until the eighth when Arko, who a year ago set the school record with 9 saves, sprinkled striking out the side amongst 3 walks and Fusullo's game-tying double.

Duarte, who also threw out a pair of would-be base stealers, accounted for all 3 runs with a 2-for-5 performance that also included a fourth-inning run-scoring single that pushed across Petrelli with the Cougars' first run of the game. However, Duarte missed another opportunity to win the game when he struck out with 2 on and 1 out in the top of the ninth. The Cougars eventually loaded the bases with 2 outs but Mark Gabbard struck out as well to end the Cougars' threat.

Petrelli was 2-for-3 with 2 runs, a double and a stolen base.

The game was Cal Poly's season opener and just the third on the season for the Cougars, who are scheduled to open GSAC play on Saturday with a home doubleheader with Southern California College. However, the forecast has more rains scheduled for Friday and Saturday which would likely wash out the 1998 GSAC opener with SCC.