SAN DIEGO – The Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team opened the 2026 season by splitting a doubleheader at Point Loma Nazarene, earning an 8–3 win in the opener before falling 4–0 in the nightcap.
In the first game, the Otters set the tone early by capitalizing on Point Loma miscues to score three runs in the opening inning. CSUMB stayed patient at the plate and remained locked in defensively before breaking the game open with a decisive five-run seventh inning.
Bobby Benavidez delivered a key two-run double during the rally, and
Jason Del Villar followed with a two-run single to give CSUMB separation.
The Otters finished the game with 10 hits, forcing three Point Loma errors and scored in three different innings.
On the mound, CSUMB pitching limited the Sea Lions to six hits while striking out 10, allowing just three runs to secure the season-opening victory.
The second game turned into a pitcher's duel, but CSUMB was unable to generate enough offense to complete the opening day sweep.
Point Loma scored four runs in the first inning, including a two-run home run and two unearned runs, and held that lead the rest of the way. CSUMB collected six hits and had runners on base in multiple innings, but couldn't push a run across.
James Starkus,
Bobby Benavidez and
Joey Rossetti each recorded hits, with Rossetti finishing with two.
The two teams will close out the series tomorrow, with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m.
