TURLOCK — Like Cougars, Cal State San Marcos pounced on opportunities late in the game to somehow earn a series split as the visitors took the finale, 10-6, over Stanislaus State on Monday.
 
The Warriors committed two errors in the ninth inning to allow the Cougars to score four runs as Stanislaus State split the home series to fall to 20-16 overall and 16-14 in the CCAA. Cal State San Marcos was fortunate to leave town with the split against a hot Stan State offense as the Cougars improved to 15-19, 10-18 CCAA.
 
With the game tied at six apiece, the Warriors had another chance to take a lead. Brandon De La Guardia led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a sac bunt. However, he got caught in a run-down before being tagged out. Then, Braeden Oki was stranded at second base on a fly-out to left as CSUSM left-fielder Justin Mellano made a nice running catch.
 
CSUSM started its ninth with Isaias Torres reaching on a fielding error. A double drove in a pinch runner, then a hit-batter and another fielding error loaded the bases. Wilhite capitalized on the chance with a two-run single and a fourth run scored on a Tyler Place single.

Stanislaus had put together a five-run second inning to take a 5-1 lead before CSUSM rallied back with three.

The Warriors had chances for more runs earlier but left a runner at third base with one out in the fourth and stranded two runners in scoring position with one out in the seventh.
 
Vinny Margiotta went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs with a double in that five-run second, capped by a two-run single by Michael Wyatt. John Holleran went 2-for-5.
 
The rested bullpen was tagged for six runs but only two of them were earned as Cody Kruip suffered the loss on the mound.
 
Aidan Stinnett and Isaias Torres each had three hits for Cal State San Marcos.