FRESNO, Calif. — The No. 7 ranked Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team continued to plate runs at an alarming rate, sweeping a doubleheader from Fresno Pacific on the road with scores of 20-6 and 11-1, Saturday at Dan Martin Stadium.
The Otters amassed 46 runs in the three-game set and dropped 31 in the twin-bill on Saturday. CSUMB enters CCAA play 11-3 on the season.
Game 1
CSUMB overwhelmed Fresno Pacific, 20–6, in the front end of the doubleheader. In a game that saw the Otters explode for 18 hits and four home runs, the outcome was rarely in doubt after a massive 13-run surge across the third and fourth innings.
The scoring began during the second frame when the Otters pushed across two runs to take an early lead, but the onslaught arrived in the third. CSUMB sent a carousel of batters to the plate to hang six runs on the scoreboard, punctuated by a three-run double from
James Starkus.
Not content with an 8–0 cushion, the Otters returned in the fourth to add five more runs, highlighted by a towering two-run home run from
Jason Del Villar that effectively put the game out of reach before the midway point.
Alonzo Guijarro made an immediate impact, blasting two home runs in just two plate appearances. His first was a massive three-run shot in the sixth, followed by a solo blast in the ninth to cap the scoring at 20.
Starkus finished his impressive day with five RBIs and a home run of his own, while
Noah Zertuche scored three times, while recording two hits and a stolen base.
On the mound,
Sonny Pena earned the victory with a solid outing that allowed the high-powered offense to dictate the tempo.
Game 2
The Otters exploded early and never looked back, beating Fresno Pacific 11-1 in the nightcap of the doubleheader.
CSUMB scored four times in the first inning and added key insurance in the fourth and fifth to cruise to the road victory.
James Starkus led the charge, finishing 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and a game-high four RBIs.
Kyle Olimpia delivered a three-run homer in the first inning, and
Andrew Lehmann,
Conner Smith and
Melo Rivera also drove in runs as the Otters totaled 10 hits. Rivera scored twice and recorded a stolen base.
Daniel Flores opened and worked three innings, allowing one (unearned) run on three hits while striking out two.
Andrew Kotin earned the win (3-1) with two scoreless innings of relief and
Drew Aguiar finished with two shutout frames to close out the game.
The Otters will open CCAA play at home against Cal State LA. The first game of the four-game series will begin on Friday, March 6.
