SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Cal State San Marcos brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the eighth inning, but Menlo College hung on for a 10-6 series-clinching win at CSUSM Baseball Field Sunday afternoon.  The Cougars went through six pitchers and played all their active position players in the nine-inning game.
 
Denny Vigo went 3-for-4 in the contest.  Brandon Bentson, Ray Patchen and Stefan Miladinovich each recorded a pair of hits.
 
The Oaks jumped out to a quick lead with five runs in the top of the second, scoring on five hits and a CSUSM error. 
 
CSUSM cut the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the frame. Tyler Place hit a RBI double to left center to put the Cougars on the board.  CSUSM's second run came when Austin Ott reached on a Menlo error. Neither team scored in the next four innings.  The Oaks put up three more runs in the seventh and added another one in the eighth inning.
 
Down 9-2 entering the bottom of the eighth, CSUSM racked up five consecutive singles followed by two walks to cut the Oaks lead to 9-6.  Reliever Skyler Fuss got the Oaks out of the jam with three straight outs. The Oaks added a final run in the ninth inning.
 
Brett Solano collected the win after seven innings of action, giving up three runs – two earned – while striking out six batters.  Elliott Stepanof suffered the loss despite only one of the five runs being earned in the second inning.  

After one day of rest, the Cougars host San Diego Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at CSUSM Baseball Field.  First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.