TURLOCK — Two clutch hits in the bottom of the eighth broke a tie and carried the Stanislaus State baseball team to a come-from-behind, 6-3 victory Friday over Western Oregon in the teams' non-conference series opener at Warrior Field.
 
Stanislaus State's offense had been stagnant for five innings entering the bottom of the eighth and the game tied, 3-3. The Warriors had answered (2-0) Western Oregon's two runs way back in the top of the first with three runs in the first and second innings, but they hadn't scored since. WOU starter Matthew Dunaway recovered from those rough first two innings to throw four more scoreless frames and finish with 12 strikeouts on the night.
 
Trevor McInerney started Stan State's game-winning rally in the eighth with a one-out bunt single right in front of home plate. He'd later steal second base when the Wolves (2-3) had him picked off at first, beating the relay throw down to second. That set up an RBI opportunity for Alex Solis, who immediately delivered on the next pitch, singling to left field and scoring McInerney for a 4-3 lead.
 
Stanislaus State added insurance to that lead with two outs. An infield single and a throwing error put Solis at third and Hunter Stonier at second. Solis scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-3, and on a 2-2 count with two outs, Ryan Leonesio doubled home Stonier to make it 6-3.
 
McInerney led all players with a 3-for-4 night at the plate. He had a double, scored twice and stole two bases. Stonier went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored, and Solis finished 1 for 2 with two runs scored, two walks and a stolen base.
 
Spencer Weston had the early go-ahead hit for the Wolves, driving in two with a single up the middle to put WOU up, 2-0. Jacob Maiben and Leighton Moniz both went 2 for 3. Friday was the teams' first meeting since 2013, when the Wolves took two of three in a season-opening three-game series on Feb. 1-2, 2013.
 
The Stanislaus State bullpen was scoreless again on Friday. Three pitchers threw the last three innings, only allowing one hit, not issuing a walk and striking out seven total. Noah Chelberg (1-0) earned his first career victory in his collegiate debut, throwing a perfect inning of relief work in the top of the eighth with two strikeouts. Damian Vallejos earned his first career save with a scoreless ninth that included three strikeouts.
 
The series continues on Saturday with a doubleheader for games two and three. The doubleheader is scheduled to start at 1 p.m., with the nightcap to start at approximately 4:30 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets and find all live coverage links on WarriorAthletics.com.