Gator pitchers fell behind in the count on the mound today and could not get a handle on CSU San Bernardino’s starting pitcher in the 11-1 loss at home.

“We didn’t throw enough strikes early in the count,” coach Tony Dress said.

Starting pitcher Zach Beal started the game with a four-pitch walk and struggled to get ahead in the count much of his four innings of work. He came back with fastballs that the talented Coyotes' (19-19, 10-15 CCAA) offense took advantage of.

“Not good,” said Beal about his outing. “It’s been a long year.”

In Beal’s four innings pitched, he gave up seven runs on eight hits and four walks.

“A lot better than his last [start] when he wasn’t behind [in the count],” said Dress about Beal’s outing. “He got the ball down and threw the curve well.”

The Gator (7-30-1, 1-20 California Collegiate Athletic Association) bats struggled with the Coyotes’ starting pitcher, Matt Long. Long tossed a complete game allowing only six hits, one run, and struck out 12.

Matt Kavanaugh, 2-for-4, had the Gators’ only RBI in the game. He said Long was a good pitcher and sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the other team.

In the four of the nine innings the Gator hitters were retired one, two, three. Dress said the Gators were too often not waiting for their pitch to hit. They chased Long’s high fastball.

The purple and gold’s only run came in the fourth inning when shortstop Nick Nyman had a hard single up the middle just out of the reach of the diving Coyote second baseman. Kavanaugh followed the single with a double to left center allowing Nyman, already taking off for second, to score from first.

In the third inning there were Coyotes on first and second with one out (infield fly situation) and Billy Haynes fisted a small pop up behind the mound just out of Beal’s reach. The home plate umpire called infield fly, according to Dress, once the call is made the runner is automatically out. The ball dropped and all runners were safe.

The umpires said it was not called and the play stood leaving the bases loaded. Two runs scored after the infield fly rule situation.

Relievers for the Gators worked five innings and allowed six hits, five walks and four runs. Freshman Paul Karshner threw three and one-third innings giving up one run on two hits and three walks. Dress said he was pleased with the outing.

“When we needed him, he came in and threw,” Dress said.

SF State pitchers surrendered nine walks. Four of those walks came around to score.

The Gator corner infielders showed off some great glove work. Hot corner third baseman Conor Buestad ended the first inning with a run-saving diving play. He also wrangled in a towering pop fly that led him from foul to fair territory and handled everything the hard-hitting Coyotes whacked at him. Jeff McCall had a diving play of his own and picked balls out of the dirt making the other infielders look good.

SF State will play two more tomorrow, April 12, in a double header against CSU San Bernardino. Kavanaugh said the Coyotes do not have any other pitchers like Long.