SEASIDE, Calif. – No. 8-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay delivered a thrilling comeback win against Northwest Nazarene, rallying from an 8-0 deficit to secure a 9-8 victory in the first game of the doubleheader. The Otters would then go on to take game two, 2-1, to take the series lead.

Game 1

After falling behind early, CSUMB's offense came alive in the fifth inning when Xander Sielken broke through with an RBI single that brought home Joey Rossetti. James Starkus followed with a two-run homer to pull the Otters within striking distance and ignite the comeback.

Kyle Olimpia continued the surge in the sixth with a solo home run to make it 8-4, and in the seventh added an RBI single that brought in Starkus and kept the momentum squarely with the Otters.

CSUMB continued chipping away in the eighth with another RBI knock from Sielken that closed the gap to 8-7, setting the stage for a dramatic ninth inning.

In the final frame, Bobby Benavidez's bases-loaded walk cut the deficit to one, and then Jason Del Villar delivered the improbable walk-off win.

The offense was paced by Sielken, Starkus and Olimpia, who each delivered pivotal hits in Monterey Bay's nine-run output. At the same time, the pitching staff battled through early trouble to keep the Otters within reach before the late offensive explosion ultimately sealed the comeback triumph.

The bullpen was clutch for the Otters late. After giving up the eight runs through five, the CSUMB arms buckled down and did not allow an NNU hit the rest of the way.

Jalen Hernandez was excellent, baffling the Nighthawk bats, throwing three innings of hitless relief without issuing a walk, and fanning three. Brandon Ashley did not allow a hit in the ninth.

Game 2

The Otters continued their momentum from the exhilarating finish to game one by promptly scoring two runs in the first. That is all CSUMB would need to complete the doubleheader sweep as the arms did the rest in the 2-1 win.

Monterey Bay took the lead when Jason Del Villar, fresh off his game-winner, lined an RBI single to center, scoring Xander Sielken, who had reached on a walk. The Otters kept the pressure on as Kyle Olimpia followed with a sacrifice fly that brought home James Starkus, giving CSUMB the 2-0 advantage.

The Nighthawks answered in the top of the third inning when Parker Sobiesak delivered a solo home run, cutting the deficit to 2-1, but the Otter pitching staff held strong the rest of the way.

Starting pitcher Hayden Hall (2-0) delivered a quality start, spinning five innings of one-run ball, while scattering four hits and striking out four. Drew Aguiar closed out the game with two scoreless innings in relief, earning the save to preserve the victory for the Otters.

Offensively, CSUMB got contributions from Starkus, who finished with three hits and added a double in the contest, and Del Villar, who drove in the game's first run with his timely hit.

Conner Smith and Ethan Meeker each recorded hits as well, helping the Otters collect seven total knocks in the nightcap.

The two teams will close out the four-game series tomorrow at 11 a.m.