SEASIDE, Calif. — A ninth-inning rally by the No. 7 Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team fell just short on Sunday afternoon as the Otters dropped the series finale to Cal State LA, 8–6, at the Otter Sports Complex. The two teams split the conference-opening series, moving the Otters to 13–5 overall and 2–2 in CCAA play.
 
Trailing 8–3 entering the final frame, the Otters mounted a comeback attempt that began with a Bobby Benavidez single. Andrew Lehmann, Conner Smith, and Jason Del Villar each followed with RBI singles to trim the deficit to two runs. With the tying run on first and two outs, the two-out rally came to a close.
 
CSUMB jumped out to an early 2–0 lead, using a Conner Smith RBI groundout in the first and a Kyle Olimpia sacrifice fly in the third to control the opening stages.
 
However, the game turned in the fourth inning when Cal State LA erupted for six runs on five hits, highlighted by a two-run double from Cesar Chavez. Omar Gonzalez padded the Golden Eagle lead in the fifth with a two-run home run to left-center.
 
Andrew Lehmann paced the CSUMB offense, going 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Smith added two hits and two RBIs, while Benavidez reached base twice and scored a run.
 
On the mound, Giovanni Costello suffered the loss after allowing six runs on six hits with four punchouts, while Jacob Parks provided a spark out of the bullpen, striking out five batters in two scoreless innings of work.
 
The Otters will hit the road to continue CCAA play, heading to Carson to face Cal State Dominguez Hills for a four-game series. Game one is scheduled for Friday, March 13, with first pitch slated for 3 p.m. at Toro Field.