SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Freshman closer turned backup catcher
Eric Sanchez hit a three-run homer in his first collegiate at bat, but it was not enough as the Cal State San Marcos baseball team fell in Sunday's California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) rubber match, 22-10, to Cal State East Bay.
"This was another tough series," said CSUSM head coach
Matt Guiliano. "East Bay swung at every little mistake we made and it didn't matter what pitch we threw. That is a credit to them because they can swing it. East Bay is a lot better hitting team than what numbers showed, but we knew they were going to be good and tough. They took it to us a little bit and hopefully that wakes us up.
"Hopefully, we can turn it around against a good Sonoma team."
The Cougars drop to 12-10 overall and 2-8 in conference action. The Pioneers move up to 14-7 for the season and 5-4 in CCAA play.
Junior second baseman
Nico Maida tallied two hits, two runs and a RBI in the contest. Junior shortstop
Tyler Place went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two walks.
The Pioneers posted runs in each frame except for the seventh that included back-to-back six runs in the third and fourth innings.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, CSUSM scored five runs on five hits including doubles by two pinch hitters, freshman
Jose Osete and sophomore
Mark Van Skike. The inning was also highlighted by Sanchez's home run blast that just barely went fair along the left line.
East Bay's Michael Thomas went 4-for-5 and came up just short of hitting for the cycle by missing a double. Leadoff hitter and CCAA stolen base leader Marcus Wise went 5-for-6 with four RBIs and four runs. Wise's two stolen bases in today's contest raised his total to 19 on the season.
Sophomore
Marc Vela (1-1) took the loss after 2.1 innings, relinquishing three runs on three walks and four walks. East Bay's Jacob Call registered the win after five innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits.
The Cougars make their second of three trips north next weekend to face Sonoma State.
