Box Score Updated Bracket
VICTORIA, Texas – The top-seeded Cal State San Marcos baseball team beat fifth-seeded University of Houston-Victoria, 3-1, in the Cougars' first game of the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Conference Championships, setting up a Thursday bout against second-seeded LSU Alexandria with a trip to the conference title game on the line.

CSUSM (33-10) received seven innings of work from starter and A.I.I. first-teamer James Dykstra (9-3), who struck out five while holding the Jaguars to seven hits an unearned run.

Brandon Bentson singled-home Tyler Bernard in the bottom of the first before Dylan Costello made it 2-0 in the fourth with a two-out base hit to score pinch-runner John Swilley from second.

UHV scored its only run in the top of the fifth. The Jaguars put together two one-out singles before loading the bases due to an error by the Cougars. Chad Kruse hit a prototypical double-play ball to the left side, but beat Mike Guadagnini's throw after a quick turn on the bag at second that would have helped CSUSM escape the jam. Corti Wilson came home from third to make it 2-1.

Guadagnini had his revenge in the bottom of the eighth. Marcus Meraz singled between walks to Kyle Kuck and Adam Tapia to load the bases with one out. Guadagnini then hit a grounder to first before booking it down the line. The first baseman went to second with the ball to try and turn the double-play, but Guadagnini was able to beat the throw back to first, allowing pinch-runner Kevin Hilton to score.

Equipped with a two-run cushion, Kuck forced a pop out before striking out Andrew Thibodeaux in the ninth. A walk to Josh Ledesma brought the tying run to the plate, but Kuck struck him out on a 2-2 pitch to end the ball game. Kuck earned his first save of the season.

Kyle Secciani, Kody Sepulveda, Meraz and Bentson each had a pair of hits in the contest.

LSU Alexandria and CSUSM have never met. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. PST.

LSUA beat third-seeded Ashford (Iowa) 11-1 on Wednesday.

UHV falls into the loser's bracket, where it will face either Fisher College (Mass.) or Ashford.