SEASIDE, Calif. – The No. 12-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team mounted a comeback from a 7-1 deficit to defeat Cal State San Marcos, 10-7, in game two of the NCAA West Regional held at the Otter Sports Complex.
The Otter turnaround, fueled by a fifth-inning offensive explosion and stellar relief pitching, proved to be the key to victory in their first game of the NCAA postseason.
Cal State San Marcos established an early advantage, but the Otters refused to surrender. The CSUMB offense erupted in the fifth inning, scoring five runs to tie the game at 7-7.
Noah Zertuche's two-run double and
Nick Maestas' two-run home run down the left field line proved pivotal in the comeback effort, with
Conner Smith adding crucial RBIs throughout the contest.
The decisive seventh inning sealed the victory as the Otters scored three additional runs to secure the 10-7 win.
Bobby Benavidez contributed significantly with a leadoff homer and a sacrifice fly, while Smith's multiple RBIs and Zertuche's continued offensive production powered the rally.
The standout performance came from relief pitcher
Kyle Giovannoni, who delivered his best performance in an Otter uniform. Giovannoni pitched 5 1/3 no-hit innings, striking out seven batters and walking just one. His performance improved his record to 3-0.
CSUMB faces the winner of game one of the regional in Northwest Nazarene. The two teams meet tomorrow at Noon.
