SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Cal State San Marcos' Brandon Bentson's two-run homer in the ninth wasn't enough as three errors allowed San Diego Christian to score four runs in their top of the frame. CSUSM fell 8-7 in the decision to the Hawks on Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Cougars drop to 1-4 while SDCC improves to 3-1 on the season.
 
Closer Justin Hertzmann hit the first two batters he faced in the final inning. Two runs scored when Stephan Haviar reached second on a pair of errors down the left line.  Two RBI singles raised the Hawk lead to 8-5. 
 
With two outs and L.A. Gamo on first, Bentson crushed the ball over the right field wall to cut the gap to 8-7. Anthony Carizosa retired the final CSUSM batter to earn his first win of 2015. 
 
The Hawks scored two runs in their first at bat on Haviar's double to right center. CSUSM answered by putting three runs on the board in the next frame.  Gamo drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a single by Austin Ott. A sacrifice bunt by Bentson advanced both runners.  Gamo scored on Ray Patchen's single through the left side and Ott followed on Stefan Miladinovich's sacrifice fly. The Cougars final run of the inning came on Denny Vigo's double through the left side.
 
In the fourth, Gamo hit a one-out triple off the center field wall and scored on an Ott sacrifice fly. Both teams remained scoreless until the eighth when SDCC scored a pair while CSUSM posted one.
 
Starter Manny Barragan got a no-decision after tossing five innings, giving up two runs and striking out four batters.
 
The Cougars are off for eight days before hosting San Diego Christian again on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.