Box Score  Starting pitcher Adam Bileckyj gave Cal State San Marcos everything he had on Friday at Menlo College, but once he exited things quickly went south for the Cougar baseball, with Menlo scoring 6 runs in the 8^th inning to shock CSUSM 7-5.

CSU San Marcos drops to 18-13 on the year.  Menlo improves to 16-11-1.

Playing all the way up in Atherton, CA, the Cougars were in control the majority of Friday afternoon, thanks largely to Bileckyj.  The junior was brilliant, allowing just 3 hits and an unearned run in 7 full innings of work.  He struck out 5 and walked just 1 batter.

CSUSM found itself down 1-0 late though, with Menlo starter Derek Martinez striking out 10 batters in 7 2/3 innings.  The Cougars would finally get to him, however, scoring 3 runs in the 8^th to take their first lead of the game.  Kyle Secciani laced a one-out single, and a big Johnny Omahen double to right-center put runners at second and third.  Kevin Silvett then drove in the team's first run with an RBI single to left, and after Austin Coleman lined out and Trent Jemmett was hit by a pitch, Jeremy Baum came through in the clutch, driving home two with a base hit.

The bottom of the inning was one to forget, however.  Reliever Kyle Smart struck out 2 of the first 3 batters, but a hit-by-pitch, balk, single, and error set the table for first baseman Will Pierce, who put Menlo back in the lead with a three-run homer.  Reliever Geoffrey Landry took over and was greeted with a solo home run to put Menlo up 7-3.

As has been the case when things go south, the Cougars showed no signs of quit.  CSUSM rallied themselves in the ninth, with Mitch Ferguson reaching on an error and Secciani and Omahen hitting back-to-back doubles to cut it to 7-5.  But reliever Kyer Vega worked out of it to close out the game and a tough loss for CSUSM.

These teams will play a double-header tomorrow to complete their three-game series.