SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Freshman Tyler Place went 4-for-4 with a double and junior Stefan Miladinovich crushed a home run, but the Cal State San Marcos baseball team surrendered two runs in the top of the eighth to fall 7-6 to Biola on Opening Day at CSUSM Baseball Field.  
 
Place was stranded on base all four times despite hitting a 1-out double in the bottom of the eighth.  Overall, the Cougars registered a hit in seven different innings with Miladinovich, senior Dylan Costello and junior Brandon Bentson each recording a pair of hits. 
 
The Eagles broke open the game with a three-run second inning.  Tanner Swire hit a two-out single and scored on Rob Groeshell's single to right field.  A double by Andrew Smith brought Groeshell across the plate.  The final run of the inning came on a CSUSM error. 
 
The Cougars got on the board in their half of the frame when junior L.A. Gamo hit a RBI single to second to score Costello. 
 
CSUSM took the lead in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs on four hits. Senior Ray Patchen crushed a RBI double to right center and Miladinovich blasted 2-run homer that barely cleared the left field wall. A single by Bentson and a walk by freshman Austin Ott triggered the situation.
 
Both squads recorded a run in the sixth.  Biola posted a run in the seventh and retook the lead in the eighth with two runs on a bases loaded single by Groeschell. 

CSUSM out-hit the Eagles, 12-8. 
 
The Cougars (0-1) return to action Saturday, Jan. 24 with a doubleheader against Menlo College at CSUSM Baseball Field.  First pitch is slated for 11 a.m.