Nampa, Idaho – The 11th ranked Cal State Stanislaus baseball team dropped the series opener 4-1, Thursday in Nampa, Idaho.
Warrior ace Marquis Fleming struggled to find his way all game and the Crusaders capitalized early going ahead 1-0 after the first inning. With two outs, Fleming walked Zack Aakhus and then a double by Jimmy VanBeek plated the first run.
The Crusaders added to their tally in the fifth inning expanding the lead to 3-0. The first run of the inning scored on an errant throw from outfielder Tomas Donnelly that rolled through the infield. With two outs and a man on third Fleming threw a wild pitch that catcher Chase Perez was not able to block.
The Warriors would mount a rally in the top of the seventh when Kyle Loretelli led off with a double. Jake Oketani reached on an infield single, moving Loretelli to third. With no outs, Adam Fonville struck out looking. Tomas Donnelly then grounded out scoring Lorettelli, but that is all the Warriors were able to get.
After Warrior reliever Andrew Demott came in and shutdown the Crusader offense through two innings, the Warriors tried to mount another ninth inning comeback. Loretelli led off the inning getting hit by a pitch. Oketani singled to right. However, Oketani was picked off first. Pinch hitter Jake Thelen then walked. The runners moved up on a passed ball. After a Donnelly strikeout, Tom Long walked to load the bases. But the magic would not happen again as Jeff Bellotti hit a soft grounder to the first baseman to end the game.
Dante Palacios, Contreras and Oketani each had two hits for the Warriors. Loretelli hit his tenth double of the season. The Warriors drop to 21-6 on the season and 4-3 on the road.
The Warriors and Crusaders will continue the series tomorrow with a day/night doubleheader beginning at 4:00 p.m.