CARSON, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team rode a seven-run fourth inning en route to a 12-8 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday afternoon at Toro Field. In a game that featured 20 combined hits, the Otters (14-5, 3-2) powered their way to the series-opening win.
 
The fourth-inning explosion turned a one-run deficit into a commanding 9-3 lead. After a series of walks and an error loaded the bases, senior Kyle Olimpia delivered the knockout blow with a bases-clearing three-run double to left field. Olimpia finished the day 3-for-5 with his three RBIs.
 
Senior Noah Zertuche provided the late-inning insurance with a solo home run in the eighth, capping off a 2-for-4 performance that also included a double. Junior Andrew Lehmann drove in three runs—including a two-RBI single in the sixth that extended the lead.
 
Junior Xander Sielken chipped in a 2-for-4 performance with an RBI and a run scored, while senior James Starkus crushed an RBI double in the third to jumpstart the scoring. Junior Jason Del Villar reached base three times and scored twice.
 
On the mound, Hayden Hall earned his fourth win of the season (4-0), battling through 5.2 innings and racking up eight strikeouts. The Otter bullpen was able to slam the door as senior Kyle Giovannoni provided 2.1 innings of steady relief before classmate Drew Aguiar entered in the ninth, striking out two to earn his second save of the year.
 
The Otters and Toros return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader starting at noon.