TURLOCK -- No 2. Cal State Stanislaus again ran into defensive problems Saturday at Warrior Field, but got a solid pitching start in game two to earn a split against defending West Region champion Sonoma State. The Seawolves won the opener, 8-3, and the Warriors took the nightcap, 3-0.

With the split the No. 2 Warriors move to 12-3 overall and 4-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Sonoma State goes to 9-4 overall and 2-4 in the CCAA. The Warriors are now 1-2 in 2009 against the Seawolves after losing a non-conference game against them on Feb. 3, 3-1, at Warrior Field.

The Seawolves got on the board early, getting four runs in the first inning, thanks in part to two errors and two infield singles. Cal State Stanislaus starter Spencer Snodgrass would settle down after falling behind 4-0 by retiring 10 of the next 11 batters, the only baserunner reaching on the Warriors' third error of the game.

The Warriors got two runs back in the fourth inning to cut the lead to 4-2, but Sonoma State would get them right back in the next half inning, scoring on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly, to push the score back to 6-2. The Seawolves would extend their lead to 8-2 with two more runs in the eighth inning.

The Warriors' 6-7-8 and 9 hitters were a combined 1-for-16 in game one. The lone hit from them was a solo homerun hit by pinch hitter Alex Zanini, who made the score 8-3 with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the ninth. The Warriors outhit Sonoma State 8-7. Snodgrass takes his first loss of the season, falling to 2-1. He threw five innings and gave up six runs, just two earned, on five hits, striking out one and walking two. Sonoma State starter Gary Moran gets his second win of 2009 against the Warriors, this time throwing seven innings and giving up just two runs on five hits. He walked none and struck out five.

Zach Cadet went 3-for-4 with a run scored to lead the Warriors offensively. Jake Thelen also had a multiple-hit game, going 2-for-4. Ian Bridges went 2-for-3 with an RBI, two runs scored and a walk for Sonoma State.

In game two Dakota Watts locked down Sonoma State, giving the Warriors an opportunity to earn a split. Single runs in the third and fourth innings, and an insurance RBI bunt single by Kyle Loretelli in the eighth inning gave Cal State Stanislaus a 3-0 lead.

Watts held Sonoma State scoreless with just two hits through eight innings on his way to his fourth win of the season, moving to 4-0. He struck out seven and walked two, his second walk coming in the top of the ninth before being pulled for reliever Eric Federico, who earned his second save of the season.

Thelen went 3-for-4 in game two with an RBI. Zanini went 2-for-3. Max Kirk and Kris Haycock got a single each to account for Sonoma State's two hits.

The four game series between the two teams will move to Rohnert Park on Monday for another doubleheader at 11 a.m. The second doubleheader of the series was originally scheduled for Sunday, but was rescheduled for Monday because of rain in the forecast.

Game 1
Game 2