SEASIDE, Calif. -- The Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team opened up its final 4-game series of the season on Thursday against second-ranked Chico State at the Otter Sports Complex.
Drew Kozain got his fist start of the season and did not disappoint, allowing three runs (one earned) in six full innings of work. However, the three spot in the fifth for Chico State would prove too much for CSUMB to overcome in the 3-1 series-opening loss.
Just as Kozain was starting to roll after four scoreless inning, the Wildcats Jimbo Pernetti opened the fifth with a solo home run to left field to give Chico a 1-0 lead. An error, a double, and a single allowed Chico to score twice more in the inning, leading to a 3-0 edge. CSUMB got one back in the sixth on an RBI single by
Myles Hager but CSUMBÂ struggled to figure out Chico pitching in the late innings.
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LEADING OFF... This series marks the first time Chico State has visited the Otter Sports Complex since 2013. The Wildcats were rank No. 4 nationally and split the 4-game series with CSUMB.
ON DECK... Kozain (3-2) shined in his first start of the season by tossing six innings of five hit ball in which he allowed three runs and only one earned. He struck out two and walked one unfortunately taking the loss.
IN THE HOLE... Despite the loss, the Otters got help from Stanislaus State as the Warriors beat Cal State East Bay allowing CSUMB to clinch a CCAA Tournament berth for the third season in a row and the fourth time in five years.
THEY'VE GOT NEXT... Monterey Bay and Chico State will face off in doubleheader action on Friday. First pitch is set for noon.
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GO OTTERS!
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