IRVINE, Calif. – Despite taking the lead twice early, the Cal State San Marcos baseball team fell to No. 19-ranked Concordia (Calif.) by a 5-2 score on Wednesday afternoon at CUI Field. 
 
With the loss, CSUSM drops to 26-14 while Concordia improves to 37-11.
 
Junior Clinton Perez went 2-for-4 with a double and a run. Pinch hitter Kory Smith went 2-for-2, but was stranded both times.
 
The Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, taking advantage of a CUI error.  Junior Stefan Miladinovich hit a one-out double, advanced on junior Brandon Bentson's single and scored on a fielding error.
 
In the bottom of the third, the Eagles knotted the game at one run apiece on Neil Lawhorn's RBI double down the left line.
 
CSUSM retook the lead in the next frame. Perez hit a leadoff double, advanced 90 feet and scored on a CUI throwing error. 
 
A Robert Shiroky home run to left center once again evened the game in the bottom of the fourth.
 
The Eagles broke the 2-2 tie with a two runs on one hit and two CSUSM errors in sixth inning. CUI added an insurance run in the eighth.
 
Junior Emilio Esquibel (9-1) recorded his first loss of the season after giving up four runs – two earned – in 5.2 innings of work.  CUI's Collin Orellana snagged the win after only one inning of action.
 
The Cougars return to CSUSM Baseball Field Friday, April 17 to host La Sierra in a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m.