Alkonis Leads UCSD to Sweep of La Verne and Western Regional
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Derak Alkonis hit three home runs and drove in six runs as UC San Diego swept a doubleheader from La Verne Saturday to win the NCAA Division III Western Regional baseball championship at La Verne.
The Tritons (32-11), winners of 15 straight, beat La Verne by 11-5 in the first game and 10-6 in the second to win the best-of-five playoff series in three games.
UCSD advances to the Division III College World Series at Marietta, Ohio, May 28-31.
In the first game, Alkonis was 4 for 6 with a home run and two RBIs, Brian Rude was 4 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs, Bob Natal was 3 for 6 with two RBIs and David Stanovich was 3 for 5 to lead the Tritons’ 21-hit attack.
Freshman pitcher Mike Morgan (5-2) allowed 12 hits, walked two and struck out five.
In the second game, Alkonis was 3 for 5 with two home runs--his seventh and eighth of the season--and four RBIs. Natal was 3 for 5 with two RBIs and Stanovich was 3 for 4 with a solo home run leading off the game.
Freshman Kyle Abbott (8-1) pitched a complete game, allowing 13 hits, striking out seven and walking one.
La Verne finishes 27-21.
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