SAN MARCOS, Calif. – With rain threatening throughout the day, the Cal State San Marcos baseball team was able to earn its first series sweep on Friday at CSUSM Baseball Field. The Cougars snagged game one from Concordia Irvine thanks to junior shortstop Riley Manquen's first collegiate and game-winning home run that lifted CSUSM to a 4-3 victory. A three-run seventh inning that was capped by a bases-loaded walk-off walk gave the Cougars the 10-9 victory in the twinbill nightcap.
 
"Our offense is scrappy and it showed again today," said CSUSM head coach Matt Guiliano. "It is frustrating as a coaching staff because you would like to put away teams but good programs like Concordia, you are never going to be able to put them away."
 
With the two wins, the Cougars conclude their non-conference schedule with a 10-2 record. The Eagles fall to 3-7 on the year.
 
Junior second baseman Nico Maida went 3-for-6 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Junior left fielder Colin Dvorak plated three times after going 3-for-5.
 
The Cougars face crosstown rival UC San Diego next weekend in a split series beginning on Friday, Feb. 24 at Triton Ballpark. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.
 
GAME 1: CSUSM 4 – CUI 3
Manquen's solo shot over the left field wall in the fourth inning proved to be the game-winner.
 
The Eagles put up a run in the first two innings to take a 2-0 lead. CSUSM got on the board in the bottom of the second on a CUI error.
 
After CUI notched another run in the top of the third, the Cougars evened the game on junior first baseman Andy Garretson's RBI double to left field and a fielder's choice.
 
Junior Alex Wall (2-1) collected the win after 5.1 innings on the hill, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out three. Senior Hayden Weir earned his first save of the season.
 
GAME 2: CSUSM 10 – CUI 9
The Eagles put up three consecutive two-run innings while the Cougars constantly played catch-up until a two-run fifth inning finally gave CSUSM the lead.
 
Freshman third baseman Anthony Rodriguez led off the fifth with a single through the right side. Maida crushed a triple, CSUSM's first of the season, to left center to even the game at 5-5. Maida later scored on a wild pitch to put CSUSM on top at 7-6.
 
The Eagles would not go quietly into the night, retaking the lead in the top of the sixth. Four hit batsmen, two passed balls, a wild pitch and a single pushed three CUI runs across the plate to give the Eagles back the lead at 9-7.
 
After back-to-back singles by Garretson and Rodriguez to begin the seventh, Maida reached first on a CUI error. Sophomore catcher Isaias Torres followed with a 2-RBI double through the left side to even the game at 9-9. The Eagles intentionally walked freshman centerfielder Jose Osete to load the bases. Junior Tyler Place, pinching hitting for Manquen, drew a bases loaded walk-off walk to give CSUSM the victory and the series sweep.
 
Garretson, who moved to the mound in the top of the sixth inning, earned the win to improve to 2-1 on the year.