SEASIDE, Calif. – The No. 12-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team dominated Northwest Nazarene for eight innings but surrendered seven runs in the ninth to lose, 14-12, on Friday afternoon at Otter Sports Complex.
The Otters built a 12-6 lead through seven innings before the Nighthawks mounted a devastating comeback to secure the victory.
CSUMB established early offensive control.
James Starkus launched a three-run homer to left field in the first inning, and
Jason Del Villar followed with a solo shot down the left field line to give the Otters a 4-0 advantage.
The Otters extended their lead when
Nick Maestas hit a two-run homer to center field in the fourth inning, making it 5-0.
Conner Smith added a two-run blast to center in the fifth inning as CSUMB continued its offensive assault.
Kyle Olimpia led the offensive effort with four hits, including two doubles, while driving in two runs and stealing a base.
Xander Sielken contributed three hits to the Otters' 18-hit total. Starkus finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs, while Smith went 2-for-5 with three RBIs. Six Otters tallied multi-hit games.
The Otter pitching staff struggled to maintain control.
Drew Aguiar allowed six runs (five earned) over six innings while walking four batters.
Jalen Hernandez gave up four runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief.
Preston Kelly took the loss after allowing four runs in just 1/3 innings pitched.
The Nighthawks exploded for eight runs in the final two innings to complete the comeback. Jake Mestas delivered a three-run triple and finished with five RBIs on two hits (one double, one triple). Carter Walsh hit a three-run homer, and Tate Lewis contributed two home runs with two RBIs. Caleb Boswell added two RBIs in the rally.
The loss dropped CSUMB to 37-17 overall while Northwest Nazarene improved to 40-15.
The two teams will meet tomorrow at Noon with an if-necessary to follow. The Otters will need to win twice to advance to the Super Regional round.
