ROHNERT PARK — Stanislaus State baseball freshman Anthony Ramirez continued to build back on his strength and skill Friday in only his second start since leaving a game early with an injury more than a month ago.
 
Friday, Ramirez logged a quality start with six strikeouts and only one earned run in six innings pitched, but host Sonoma State still got the best of the Warriors, earning a 4-2 California Collegiate Athletic Association series-opening win at Seawolf Diamond.
 
Ramirez only allowed five hits in his six innings of work, but he also walked four, and the Warriors (9-21, 7-18 CCAA) committed three errors. One of those errors cost Ramirez and the Warriors two runs in the fourth, which turned what was a 1-1 game into a 3-1 advantage for Sonoma State (11-19, 8-13 CCAA).
 
Zach Jones' second homer of the season in the eighth made it 3-2 at the time. Alex Solis was the one who singled home Casey Carr in the top of the third, tying the game at 1-1. Three Sonoma State pitchers shared the load to limit a Stanislaus State offense that had scored at least four runs in five of its last seven games.
 
Austin Balentine was strong in relief for Stanislaus State, throwing two no-hit innings with no earned runs allowed (one unearned) and four strikeouts. Matt Elser (1 for 4) and Carr (1 for 3, run) each had doubles in Friday's opener.
 
The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled for a noon first-pitch. Fans can find all live coverage links on WarriorAthletics.com.