SEASIDE, Calif. - Behind a massive offensive burst in the third inning and strong pitching throughout the afternoon, the No. 8-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team took down Northwest Nazarene, 6-2, Saturday at the Otter Sports Complex. 

The win secured CSUMB's third straight series victory to start the 2026 campaign and improved its record to 8-3. 

After a scoreless first two frames, the Otters broke the game open in the bottom of the third when James Starkus delivered a clutch RBI single to tie the contest, and Nick Maestas soon followed with an RBI walk that extended the lead. 

The big blow of the inning came from Aidan Mowins, who drilled his first home run of the season and second of his career, a mammoth grand slam over the right field wall that plated Starkus, Maestas and Kyle Olimpia.

From that point forward, the Otters never looked back. Monterey Bay's pitching staff, led by Andrew Kotin, kept Northwest Nazarene's offense in check after the early lone run, working efficiently through five innings, while allowing just two unearned runs. 

Kotin (2-1) earned the win with five strong innings, limiting the Nighthawks to minimal traffic on the bases, and was backed by effective relief from Sonny Pena, who preserved the lead with a scoreless final frame. 

Starkus finished with two hits and an RBI, while Mowins' power display sparked the offense. Conner Smith and Xander Sielken also contributed key hits that helped the Otters earn the series victory.

Northwest Nazarene scored early on an unearned run in the top of the third, but the Otters' offensive explosion that same inning proved too much to overcome. Giovanni Costello made his first career start on the mound for CSUMB, throwing three innings while allowing a single run on no hits.

The Otters will enjoy an off week before continuing non-conference play with a three-game series at Fresno Pacific. Game one is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, with first pitch slated for 5 p.m. at Dan Martin Stadium.