SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos baseball team dropped a 5-2 decision to 2014 NCAA Division II national runner-up Colorado Mesa Thursday afternoon at CSUSM Baseball Field.
 
The first five innings had the earmark of a classic pitching duel between CSUSM's Manny Barragan and CMU's Trent Allianic with neither pitcher giving up a run.  Barragan surrendered only two hits while striking out six and walking two. Allianic collected four strikeouts and gave up four hits.
 
The Mavericks spread out their five runs in the final four innings. CMU posted a run in both the sixth and seventh innings.
 
Senior Dylan Costello's two hits were timely ones as he drove both runs in for CSUSM.  His RBI single to right field in the seventh inning cut CMU's lead to 2-1.  With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and pinch hitter Kyle Hansen on first base, Costello doubled off the left center wall to score CSUSM's final run.

Freshman Tyler Place went 3-for-4 with a run. 
 
The Cougars (2-4) are back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 10 when they host Vanguard at 2 p.m.