SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos baseball team dropped a 17-11 decision to visiting No. 29 Cal Poly Pomona in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) action on Friday afternoon at CSUSM Baseball Field.
 
With a sixth inning single, senior Brandon Bentson made history by becoming CSUSM's career hit king with the 227th of his career. The previous record of 226 hits was held by Austin Coleman (2008-12).
 
"I am really happy for Brandon because he has been a great leader all four years," said head coach Dennis Pugh. "He deserves all the accolades awarded to him."
 
Bentson tallied two hits, two RBIs and a run in the contest. Junior Colin Dvorak and sophomore Austin Ott each recorded two hits for CSUSM. Every Cougar scored in the game with junior Ross Lemmel and freshman Tyler Ankrom crossing home twice.
 
The Cougars fall to 10-11 overall and 2-7 in conference play while the Broncos improve to 12-6, 4-3 CCAA.
 
After a scoreless first frame, the Broncos would score in the next five innings. CPP held an 8-0 lead before CSUSM's offense woke up in the bottom of the fourth.  Senior L.A. Gamo drew a one-out walk and advanced on a wild pitch. A Dvorak single put runners at the corners. On a pickoff attempt, CPP pitcher Peter Bayer's throw got away from first baseman Nic Hernandez. Gamo scored and Dvorak advanced to second on the error. Ankrom and Lemmel drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Sophomore Tyler Place pushed another run across with a single through the right side. Ankrom scored after relief pitcher Tyler Rowe was called on a balk. An Ott single and Bentson's sacrifice fly pushed two more runs across for CSUSM to close the gap to 8-5 Broncos.
 
The Broncos would add five more runs to their lead before CSUSM was able to score again. 
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Ankrom and Lemmel were both granted first base after accumulating a 4-1 count. Ankrom advanced to third after Place flied out to deep center field. Ott and Bentson hit back-to-back RBI singles through the right side. The Cougars once again loaded the bases after senior Clinton Perez drew a walk. Senior Jon Putnam pushed another run across after being hit by a pitch for a conference-high eighth time this season. Gamo drew his 13th walk of 2016 and Bentson crossed the plate. Perez scored after Dvorak hit into a fielder's choice to make it 13-10 CPP.
 
Pinch hitter Domenic Antonacci hit into a bases-loaded double play in the eighth and CSUSM scored once again to make it a two run difference at 13-11.
 
With rain starting to come down, the Broncos scored four insurance runs in the top of the ninth.
 
CPP's Rowe picked up his third win of the season despite only going two innings and giving up six earned runs on four hits.
 
Senior Cameron MacKenzie (3-1) took the loss after struggling early, relinquishing six runs on four hits and five walks.  Every pitcher in CSUSM's bullpen saw action today, except the starters for the next three games.
 
Hernandez, who went 3-for-5 with four runs, led the Broncos.
 
The Cougars travel to Bronco country on Saturday for a doubleheader in Pomona. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.