SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team erased deficits in both games to sweep its doubleheader against Cal State East Bay on Friday. The Otters rallied late to take game one, 15-12, and then won the nightcap, 7-3. CSUMB improves to 31-17 overall and 26-13 in conference play.
The pair of victories ensure that the Otters will be one of the top two seeds at the CCAA Tournament. With a win tomorrow, CSUMB can claim the regular season title outright.
GAME 1 | CSUMB 15 – CSUEB 12
The Otters rallied to erase a six-run deficit to take game one of the doubleheader, 15-12. CSUMB found themselves down 10-4 in the fourth inning but scored three in the bottom half, added another in the fifth, two more in the sixth and used a five-run eighth to climb all the way back and seize the victory.
Despite giving up the 12 runs, the Otters struck out a program record 22 as
Aidan Lee (3-1) was credited with the win after striking out eight in a three innings of hitless relief.
Vincent Cicolello earned his fourth save after fanning two in a flawless ninth.
Cole Murchison and
Sergio Solis tallied three hits apiece as Murchison scored four times and drove in a run.
KW Quilici batted 2-for-3 with a home run, scored three times and drove in a pair and
Jaden Sheppard drove in three.
The Otters cashed in after loading the bases in the eighth inning.
Kyle Barileau was hit by a pitch that scored Murchison and then a
Chase Lindemann walk evened the score at 12.
JJ Engman then gave the Otters the lead for good as his sac-fly to center was dropped and plated
Garrett Santos.
GAME 2 | CSUMB 7 – CSUEB 3
The Otters scored seven runs in the final two innings to come from behind to down the Pioneers 7-3 in the nightcap.
Jaden Sheppard,
Sergio Solis and
Kyle Barileau collected multi-hit games and
Cole Murchison drove in three.
Ryan Io (2-0) came out of the bullpen to earn the win. The righthander allowed two hits and struck out a pair in 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Trailing 3-0 entering the fifth inning the Otters once again fought back and took the lead by scoring five runs in the frame.
Sheppard and Murchison hit back-to-back doubles as Sheppard brought in
Chase Lindemann and Murchison drove in
KW Quilici and Sheppard.
The Otters added insurance in the sixth inning as Quilici doubled home
JJ Engman. Murchison then added another as he scored Quilici on a groundout.
Due to impending inclement weather, tomorrow's first pitch has been moved back to 2 p.m.