SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Junior Colin Dvorak scored the winning run on a passed ball to give the Cal State San Marcos baseball team its first conference victory in its inaugural California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) season Thursday afternoon, 3-2, over visiting Cal State L.A. at CSUSM Baseball Field.
 
The Cougars improved to 9-4 overall and 1-0 in CCAA play. Cal State L.A. extends its losing skid to 11 games, dropping to 1-11 overall and 0-1 in conference.
 
"First CCAA win in program history and no one can take that away from us," said head coach Dennis Pugh. "We have 37 more games so we have to take one at a time."
 
Down 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, senior Jon Putnam drew a leadoff walk. Sophomore Jack Garcia, pinch running for Putnam, advanced to second on a wild pitch to get into scoring position.  Junior Hudson Bilodeau laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Garcia 90 feet and Dvorak crushed a line drive through the right side to even the game at 2-2.  Junior Ross Lemmel doubled down the left-field line and third base coach Art Warren put the brakes on Dvorak at third.  On a 1-1 pitch to senior L.A. Gamo, the ball got away from the CSULA catcher and Dvorak came sliding home.
 
In the top of the 9th, CSULA's Martinez singled up the middle. After advancing on a sacrifice bunt, CSUSM was called for a balk, which advanced Martinez to third base. He scored on a CSUSM error to give the Golden Eagles the lead once again.
 
CSULA's starting pitcher Ralph Ramirez had a no-hitter going into the bottom of the fifth inning. CSUSM's first hit came off the bat of Dvorak.  He hit an RBI single up the middle to knot the game at 1-1. Earlier in the inning, Putnam was awarded first base after being struck by the ball for a CCAA leading seventh time this season.
 
The Golden Eagles struck first with a run after putting together three singles in the second inning.
 
CSUSM starter Emilio Esquibel got his third no decision after tossing 6 2/3 innings. Senior Jordan Kunz picked up his first win after just 1/3 inning in relief.
 
Dvorak went 3-for-4 with a double. 
 
The Cougars are back in action tomorrow at CSUSM Baseball Field against Cal State L.A. with a single game beginning at 2 p.m.