SEASIDE, Calif. – The No. 9-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team opened its non-conference series against Western Oregon with a 6-2 victory Friday afternoon at the Otter Sports Complex.
 
The ninth-ranked Otters (18-5) used timely hitting and a solid bullpen effort to down the Wolves (9-13) in the series opener.
 
The Otters struck early, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Andrew Lehmann ignited the rally with an RBI single to right-center, followed by Xander Sielken's RBI single through the right side. James Starkus capped the three-run frame with an RBI groundout, giving CSUMB an early cushion.
 
Western Oregon managed to scratch across two unearned runs in the fourth inning, capitalizing on Monterey Bay defensive miscues.
 
The game's decisive moment came in the eighth inning when Jason Del Villar launched a three-run home run to center field, extending the Otters' lead to 6-2 and effectively putting the contest out of reach. The blast was his fifth homer on the season.
 
On the mound, winning pitcher Hayden Hall gave the Otters five key innings, allowing five hits and two unearned runs while striking out six and walking three. Hall improved to a perfect 5-0 on the season.
 
The Otter bullpen was equally impressive, with Kyle Giovannoni delivering 2 2/3 scoreless innings on just one hit, and closer Drew Aguiar earning his fifth save with a 1 1/3-inning appearance. The save was his fourth in as many games as the right-hander came in to get a clutch final out in the eighth.
 
The two teams will meet for a doubleheader tomorrow. First pitch of game one is scheduled for Noon.