SAN MARCOS, Calif. – A five-run eighth inning had the Cal State San Marcos baseball team thinking comeback Wednesday afternoon, but a ninth inning wild pitch helped No. 17 Concordia University Irvine break the tie and steal the win 10-9 at CSUSM Baseball Field.
 
Fresh from a five-run outburst in the eighth, the Cougars went into the ninth tied 9-9.  Freshman Austin Ott allowed a one-out hit by Spencer Nielsen to short left center. He later scored after a stolen base and two wild pitches.
 
The CSUSM rally started in the bottom of the eighth with a one-out single up the middle by junior Jon Putnam.  Freshman Tyler Place drew his third walk of the game and Ott singled through the left side to load the bases. Junior L.A. Gamo hit a sacrifice fly to left field to plate pinch runner Jack Garcia. CSUSM once again loaded the bases after a CUI pitcher plunked junior Stefan Miladinovich for the second time.  Junior Brandon Bentson pushed two runs across on a double up the middle and senior Ray Patchen's 2 RBI single followed the same path to tie the game.
 
After two scoreless innings to begin the game, the Eagles took advantage of a CSUSM error to take a 1-0 lead in the third. CUI extended their lead with four runs on six hits in the fourth inning.  After a walk, CUI's John Bornhop hit a RBI double to make a it 6-0. 
 
CSUSM put together a small rally in the bottom of the fourth by scoring four runs on four hits.  Place led off the inning with a single to left field but CUI's outfielder misplayed the ball and he advanced to third. After Ott singled but his hit went to third base which prevented Place from scoring.   Gamo's single took a weird bounce past first base and Place was able to cross the plate. Bentson connected on a sacrifice fly to score Ott and Patchen's two-run homer over the left field wall cut the gap to 6-4 CUI.
 
The Eagles spread out three runs in the next three innings to make it 9-4.
 
Both starters got no decisions since the game was decided in the final inning. Senior Kyle Montiel tossed 3.2 innings, giving up five runs – four earned – while striking out four batters.  CUI's starter Dillon Moran went five innings, relinquishing four runs on six hits.  The win went to CUI's closer Tyler Mark after 1.1 shutout innings on the mound. Ott recorded his first loss of the season after an inning of work.
 
Patchen went 3-for-4 and he recorded his second home run of the season. Bentson went 2-for-3 with four RBIs, a double, a sacrifice fly and a walk.
 
Robert Shiroky led the Eagles with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate.
 
The Cougars take a 10-day break before hosting Hawaii Pacific on Saturday, April 4.  The twinbill begins at noon.