BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2 POMONA, Calif. – Strong pitching and decisive hitting was the right formula for the Cal State Monterey Bay Otter baseball team, earning a sweep over No. 24 Cal Poly Pomona in Saturday's doubleheader at Scolinos Field.
 
The Otters (8-4, 2-1 CCAA) racked up 20 hits while the pitching staff relinquished only two runs.
 
“We had two great team wins today,” said CSUMB Head Coach Walt White. “Our pitching was spot on with Appino throwing an absolute gem in game one. Steven Farnworth and Jordan Helmkamp matched it in game two. Offensively we executed well, had timely hits, and grinded out at bats against a tough Pomona pitching staff.
 
Junior Brian Haggett (Hollister, Calif./Sacramento State)  continued his 11-game hitting streak with a single in the first game followed by a 3-for-4 performance in the closer.  Senior Chris Lopiccolo (Marina, Calif./UCSB) dominated in game one with 3-for-4 outing. Starter Aaron Appino (2-0) and reliever Jordan Helmkamp (Aliso Viejo, Calif./Saddleback) (1-0) earned the wins.
 
“We will enjoy these wins tonight, but the job isn't done yet,” White said. “We have a chance to win the series tomorrow, and it's going to take another team effort to get it done.”
 
The Otters lead the series 2-1 with a closer on Sunday at 11 a.m.
 
Game 1: CSUMB 5, CPP 1
 
Appino pitched eight and junior Dylan Auker (San Jose, Calif./VCU) came in for the final three outs as CSUMB handed Pomona its first loss of 2012 with a 5-1 victory.
 
In the first five innings, CSUMB produced the lone run in the third inning on a RBI groundout by junior Jason Merjano (San Ramon, Calif./Sierra College).
 
The Otters added on to their lead in the sixth, scoring two runs on senior Jared DeCastro's (Torrance, Calif./L.A. Harbor College) single down the right line.
 
Merjano's sixth double this season drove home freshman Jesse White (Salinas, Calif./Salinas High).
 
The Broncos single run was a sacrifice fly by Donald Walters that scored Jenzen Torres. 
 
Appino gave up only two hits in his eight scoreless innings.
 
Game 2: CSUMB 5, CPP 1
 
The Otter offense once again took an early lead, scoring twice in the first inning with one coming from a balk by Pomona's starter Kevin Bosson. The other was off an RBI double by Brian Haggett.
 
The Broncos answered with a run in the next frame when Chris Curtis sent a ball to right field for the second out as Chris Miller scored.
CSUMB added single runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings to secure the win.
 
The duo of freshman Steven Farnworth (Newhall, Calif./West Ranch HS) and Helmkamp struck out five batters and allowed only one run.