Box Score

LA JOLLA, Calif. - The Cal State San Marcos baseball team fell victim to a six-run fifth inning in a 7-3 exhibition loss to UC San Diego on Saturday afternoon at Triton Ballpark.

The contest was originally scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Friday night, but was moved due to inclement weather.

It served as the first game competition this season for CSUSM. UCSD is currently ranked No. 23 in NCAA Division II.

The Cougars scored once in each of the second and fourth innings on RBI groundouts by Kyle Kuck and Brandon Bentson, respectively. Kenny Belzer hit a solo homerun in the eighth inning to round out the scoring for CSUSM. Belzer went 3-for-4 on the afternoon and scored twice.

Starter James Dykstra struck out five in three innings of work for the Cougars, surrendering a single hit and an unearned run.

CSUSM led 2-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, but Dillon Moyer led off with a double before being driven in by Brett Levy. After Steve Messner surrendered a walk to Spencer Frazier, Danny Susdorf connected with an RBI single before pinch-hitter James Mossholder connected with a two-run base hit. Nick LaFace became the sixth-consecutive Triton to reach safely with an RBI single through the left side. Justin Rahn scored off Garrett Tuck's groundout to make it 7-2.

Messner was credited with the loss after giving up five hits and the six earned runs in the fifth.

Trevor Scott earned the win for UCSD.

CSUSM's first official game will take place on Friday, February 1 at 11th-ranked Concordia (Calif.) The Cougars' first home doubleheader is the following day, Saturday, also against Concordia.