SEASIDE — Tyler Murphy struck out nine Otters, but CSUMB ace Greg Steinbeck won the pitching battle in the 4-3 game in Seaside.

Steinbeck, one of the CCAA leaders in earned run average, improved to 6-0 on the season by allowing three runs — all unearned — on seven hits in seven innings. Steinbeck lowered his ERA to 0.88.

On the Warriors' side Murphy was impressive with nine strikeouts but gave up four hits on seven hits in seven innings of work as well.

Cal State Stanislaus, which got a 3-for-4 game from Scott Stetson, fell to 6-12 overall and 1-7 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Cal State Monterey Bay, which had an 11-game winning streak earlier this season, snapped a three-game skid and improved to 14-7, 10-3 CCAA.

Skippy Ferreria and James Heller each also had two hits with Ferreria driving in two runs with singles in the fifth and seventh innings.

CSUMB got on top 4-0 with a three-run third inning after a Will Rosado leadoff solo homer. Kevin Davidson and Ty Morris would each singled in a run.

The Warriors plated two runs in the fifth on a Ferreria RBI single to score Christian Kahler who reached on an error by the third baseman. Nick Ippolito, who also reached on another throwing error by the CSUMB third baseman, scored on a Marcus Mastrobuoni sacriface fly.

Stanislaus again capitalized on another Otter error in the seventh. Stetson reached on a E6 and went to second on a balk. Ferreria's single through the left side scored Stetson.

Monterey Bay reliever Krory Groves then pitched the final two innings with four strikeouts, including sitting the Warriors down in order on strikes in the ninth, to close out the game.

The Warriors and the Otters will play two in Turlock, starting at 1 p.m., to continue the series. The four-game set shifts back to Seaside on Sunday.