SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos baseball team (11-2) swept its doubleheader against Simpson University (10-15) by scores of 21-4 and 8-7 on Thursday at Dennis A. Pugh Field.
 
GAME 1: CSUSM 21 – SIMPSON 4
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Jacob Embleton – 3-for-3 | 5 RBIs | 2 R | 1 HR | 1 2B | 1 SB | 1 SF
Canon King – 3-for-6 | 5 RBIs | 2 R | 1 HR | 1 3B
Zech Samayoa – 1-for-1 | 3 RBIs | 1 R | 1 HR
Max Shor – 2-for-3 | 2 RBIs | 1 2B | 1 HBP
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jacob Embleton set the tone immediately with a leadoff home run, sparking a four‑run first inning that included RBI doubles by Christopher Tampo​ya and Max Shor.
• CSUSM added two runs in the second on RBI singles from Michael Ryan and Canon King to extend the lead to 6-0.
• In the third, Embleton brought home another run on a sacrifice fly to make it 7-0.
• King launched a solo home run in the fourth to add to the advantage, making it 8-0.
• The Cougars broke things wide open with a five‑run sixth inning, capped by Embleton's three‑run double that pushed the lead to 13-0.
• In the seventh, Zech Samayoa came off the bench and delivered a three‑run homer to center field, stretching the margin to 16-0.
• Simpson scored its first runs in the eighth, plating three, but CSUSM countered with another five‑run burst featuring King's three‑run triple and an RBI double from Blake Browning.
• Simpson added one more run in the ninth, but the Cougars comfortably closed out the 21-4 victory.

 
QUICK HITS

• CSUSM starter PJ Wendler (4-0) earned the win as he struck out seven while allowing two hits, two walks and two hit-by-pitches in 5.0 innings.
• Simpson starter Qorey Houstin (1-1) took the loss after giving up six earned runs on six hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch in 2.0 innings.
• This was the first meeting between the Cougars and Red Hawks since their lone meeting in 2014.
• CSUSM's 21 runs tied for the ninth most in program history and were the most in a game this season.
• Offensively, the Cougars set season highs for RBIs (20), hits (20), doubles (6) and home runs (3) while their pitching staff recorded a season-best 12 strikeouts.
• Michael Ryan moved his reached-base streak to a team-best eight games.

 
GAME 2: CSUSM 8 - SIMPSON 7 (7 INN.)
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Michael Ryan – 1-for-2 | 2 RBIs | 1 R | 1 BB | 1 HBP
Canon King – 1-for-1 | 2 RBIs | 1 SB | 1 HBP
Christopher Tampoya – 2-for-2 | 2 R | 1 2B | 1 HBP
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Simpson took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on a solo home run from Owen Hayes before CSUSM answered with a two‑run single by Michael Ryan to move in front 2-1 in the bottom of the inning.
• Simpson responded with a six‑run fourth inning, taking advantage of three hits, two walks and a balk to build a 7-2 advantage.
• After a quiet fourth, the Cougars began their comeback in the fifth as pinch‑hitter Canon King delivered a two‑run single to cut the deficit to 7-4 before Michael Weber drew a bases‑loaded walk to make it 7-5.
• CSUSM tied the game in the sixth after a bunt single and error allowed Jacob Embleton to reach second, followed by a hit‑by‑pitch and walk to load the bases. Samayoa drew a bases‑loaded walk to make it 7-6, and a double‑play ball brought home Helfrick to even the score at 7-7.
• In the bottom of the seventh, Tampoya ripped a ground‑rule double and advanced to third on a sacrifice before Max Shor lined a single to center field to drive in the game‑winning run.

 
QUICK HITS

• CSUSM reliever Zach Romero (2-0) earned the win after a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
• Simpson reliever Johnny Alvarez (0-1) took the loss after giving up the game-winning run on two hits, one walk and a hit-by-pitch in 1.1 innings.
• This was CSUSM's third walk-off win of the season.
• Ryan improved his reached-base streak to a team-best nine games.

 
UP NEXT
CSUSM and Simpson will conclude the series on Friday with another 11 a.m. doubleheader at Dennis A. Pugh Field.