TURLOCK — A big fifth inning rally broke up what was a close game Sunday and lifted No. 8 UC San Diego to a California Collegiate Athletic Association series victory with a 7-3 win at Warrior Baseball Field.

The Tritons (22-6, 14-4 CCAA) scored three runs in the fifth to break a 2-2 tie. The big hit of the inning was J.D. Hearn's two-run home run that made it 5-2. Tyler Howsley started the rally with a leadoff triple. He would score one pitch later on RBI single, which gave UCSD a 3-2 lead.

Stanislaus State (20-12, 10-11 CCAA) scored two runs in the bottom of the second to take a 2-1 lead. It was Nick Ippolito's two-run double into the right field corner that put the Warriors ahead early.

Kyle Nixon hit a long solo home run in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to two runs at 5-3. But the Warriors could not build on the momentum of the home run, as they only got two more base runners for the rest of the game.

UC San Diego grabbed a quick 1-0 lead on its second first-inning home run of the series. Jack Larsen hit a solo shot to right-center field to give the Tritons the early advantage. UCSD added two insurance runs in the seventh on three straight base hits to start the frame. Alex Eliopulos' two-run double made it 7-3.
 
Starting pitcher Adrian Orozco was strong for UC San Diego on the mound. He threw 7 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and just one walk. He allowed all three of the Warriors' runs on six scattered hits.

The Warriors next travel to Southern California to face Cal State San Marcos in a three-game CCAA series on Saturday and Sunday. They return home for a three-game CCAA series versus Cal State San Bernardino on April 14-15.