Coming off a tough loss to the #1-ranked team in NCAA Division II, UC San Diego, Cougar baseball narrowly survived a scare on the road to San Diego Christian, winning 7-6.

CSUSM improves to 18-8-1 with the win, while San Diego Christian falls to 2-18.

The Cougars came out swinging early, scoring four runs in the first inning and two in the second.  San Diego Christian battled back though, scoring one in the second, two in the third, and two in the fourth to make it 6-5.  A Kyle Secciani RBI single for the Cougars proved in the fifth proved to be the difference, as San Diego Christian would score once more but were unable to close the gap.

Ryle Parks continued his hot hitting by going 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI, while Secciani scored two runs and drove in a pair.  Josh Miller also had two hits, a run scored, and an RBI, and Johnny Omahen provided a big two-RBI double that keyed the four-run first inning.

On the mound, Cougar starter Chris Skaalen was knocked out in the fourth inning, but the bullpen held up nicely.  Ricky Chavarria picked up the win for his 2 1/3 innings of one-run ball, and relivers Kyle Smart, Johnny Holtman, and Eric Julienne combined to close out the game in scoreless fashion.

CSUSM will be in action over the weekend for a home-and-home two-game series with CSU San Bernardino.