In the first of a three-game weekend series, Cal State San Marcos got the best of San Diego Christian College, going on the road to pick up a decisive 13-4 victory.

 

CSUSM improves to 4-1 on the young season. San Diego Christian drops to 0-1-1.

 

A very positive theme has emerged for the Cougars already this season: dominant starting pitching. It was Johnny Holtman's turn on Friday, and in his first start since opening day the big righty didn't disappoint. Holtman went seven strong, allowing just one run while striking out five and walking two to pick up his first win of the season.

 

The Cougar lineup came to play as well, driving San Diego Christian starter Adair Robles from the game with a five-run fifth and never looking back. 11 different Cougars recorded on RBI on the day, and CSUSM got big performances from numerous players, including 3 RBI each from Kyle Secciani and Jeremy Baum, and a pair of runs scored by Victor Serna and Trent Jemmett.

 

Down 1-0 in the third, CSUSM got things going with Johnny Omahen and Serna both knocking one out singles. After Jemmett was hit by a pitch, Austin Coleman drove a pair home with a base hit to left. Kevin Silvett walked to re-load the bases, and Secciani delivered another big two-run single. Baum added a sac fly to put the Cougars up 5-1.

 

CSUSM would add five more the very next inning, with the damage coming courtesy of that deadly top of the lineup. With two outs and none on, Serna and Jemmett singled, Coleman was walked, and Silvett and Secciani both drew walks to force runs home. A wild pitch scored Coleman, and Baum capped things off with a big two-RBI double down the leftfield line.

 

Abraham Torres pitched the final 1 2/3 innings in relief to close out the win.

 

These teams will finish their series with a Saturday double-header at CSUSM starting at 11:00 AM.