AZUSA, Calif. -- In what was a pitching duel early on, became a late–inning thriller. The Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team found three runs in the top of the ninth inning, led by a two run double off the bat of Myles Hager (Tarzana, Calif / Chaminade College Prep), leading to a 4–2 win in the opening game of the four–game series against Azusa Pacific.

Neither team registered a hit until the fifth inning when the Cougars broke through for two runs off of CSUMB starter Gabe Katich (San Jose / Mount Pleasant HS). Trailing 2–0, the Otters didn't find paydirt until the seventh inning when Hayden Duer (Davis HS)  smacked his third home run of the season, putting CSUMB within a run at 1–2.

Both Ryan Arambula (Bell Gardens HS) and Jake Chutney (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. / Trabuco Hills HS) each pitch shutout innings in the seventh and eighth innings. Chutney was credited with his first win of season (1-0) after his blemish free eighth inning.

"Our bullpen held it together for us and we put together some great at bats in the ninth," says Head Coach Walt White.

In addition to Hager's double that gave the Otters the one–run lead, Will Rosado (Clovis East HS) knocked in an extra run that led to the 4-2 victory. Steven Zaharias (S,2) earned the save after a shut down ninth inning.

"It was a real test tonight against a very good team."

Katich got a no decision after tossing six innings of two hit, two run baseball, featuring seven strikeouts. Monterey Bay will continue the 4–game series with the Cougars on Friday with a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.