LOS ANGELES — A big day by Jacob Tonascia (San Benito HS) and a gem of a first collegiate start by sophomore Ethan McRae (Hanford HS/Fresno CC) led the Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team to a Sunday doubleheader split and a series win over Cal State L.A. at CSULA's Reeder Field.

CSUMB (11–3, 5–3 CCAA) dropped the opener 12–4 before bouncing back for a 5–0 win in the nightcap. L.A. dipped to 6–7 and 3–5.
Tonascia homered twice Sunday, once in each game, while driving in all five runs in the 5–0 win. He finished the day 3–for–7 with two home runs and seven RBI.

His bat and McRae's arm were all the Otters needed to win the series finale. McRae allowed just two hits and fanned six in six innings to earn his first collegiate win. Connor Fabing (San Benito HS) struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning to complete the shutout.

"We definitely weren't at our best in Game 1, but we were able to respond in Game 2," said Head Coach Walt White. "It started with McRae, who threw a gem. And Tonascia supplied all the offense we needed. I don't think we've played our best baseball yet. We have a few things we'd like to clean up and I like to think we will continue to improve as the season progresses. All in all, a series win against a good team on the road is a positive."

In addition to Tonascia, Kyle Czaplak (Pacific Grove HS/Santa Clara University) hit safely in both games, including his second Otter home run in the opener. Myles Hager (Tarzana/Chaminade Prep) doubled twice and walked in the Game 2 win.

CSUMB returns home to host Chico State in a 4–game series beginning Friday at 2 p.m.