BOX SCORE LA JOLLA, Calif. – Host UC San Diego used a three-run first inning to give No. 29 Cal State Monterey Bay its first series loss of the season, following a 5-3 decision on Sunday.
 
CSUMB recorded eight hits with senior Danny Nelson (Morgan Hill, Calif./San Jose City College) going 3-for-5 with a run.  Nelson, along with juniors David Garcia (Gilroy, Calif./Mission College) and Brian Haggett (Hollister, Calif./Sacramento State) recorded doubles. 
 
The Otters took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Nelson led off the game with a double and took third on a wild pitch. With one out, Nelson came in to score when senior Chris Lopiccolo grounded out to shortstop. 
 
In the next half of the frame, UCSD scored three runs on two sacrifice flies and an CSUMB error. 
 
With two outs in the second, UCSD's Danny Susdorf snuck home while the Otters were in a rundown between first and second with Gregg Ringold who was eventually caught to end the inning.
 
The Tritons went up 5-1 in the sixth when Richard Seigel scored on a groundout after being hit by a pitch to begin the inning.
 
The Otters attempted a rally in the next two innings by scoring a run in each.  Junior Tommy George (Elk Grove, Calif./Elk Grove HS) reached first on an infield throwing error and raced to third on the play. Pinch hitter Jeff Phillips (Fresno, Calif./Fresno City CC) drove George across the plate on a single to right field.
 
In the seventh, senior Jared DeCastro (Torrance, Calif./LA Harbor College) hit a two-out RBI single to score Garcia who led off with a double.
 
Junior Jonas Noack (San Diego, Calif./UOP) took the loss, giving up three runs with only one earned and walking two in 1/3 inning. 
 
UCSD's Greg Selarz pitched just over six innings for the win. 

The Otters remain on the road for another CCAA series, traveling to No. 13 Chico State on March 16-18.