TURLOCK, Calif.---  Stan State started its final home stand of the regular season with an 8-4 victory over the visiting Cal State San Marcos this evening at Warrior Field.  Austin Balentine (8-4) picked up the complete game seven-hit victory over the Cougars.  Four Warriors had multiple-hit games led by Ryan Leonesio (two-for-four with four runs batted in) and Flavio Perez (two-for-two, three runs scored, home run, and a run batted in).

The game was scoreless until the Warrior half of the third inning.  With two outs, Robert Valdivia had a one-out single and went to third on a double by Kyle Rachels.  Valdivia scored when Alex Solis reached on a Cougar error as the hosts took a 1-0 lead.  Flavio Perez's solo shot over the right field fence with one out doubled the Warrior lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth. 

Cal State San Marcos (25-16, 24-12 CCAA) tied the game in the sixth on a two-out two-run home run by Garrett Teunissen. 

Stan State (15-24-1, 11-20 CCAA) extended its lead to 6-2 with a four-run sixth inning.  Chris Catalano had a one-out home run to begin the four-run sixth for the hosts.  Perez had a single and stole second.  Danny Murphy and Jacob Baker had back-to-back walks to load the bases.  Ryan Leonesio hit a bases clearing double to right center to increase the Warriors' lead to 6-2.

The Warriors added two insurance runs in the seventh.  With one out, Catalano, Perez, and Murphy drew back-to-back-to-back walks.  Baker drove in Catalano with a sacrifice fly. Stan State made it 8-2 on a two-out single by Leonesio which brought in Perez.

The Cougars cut the Warrior lead to 8-4 with on a one-out two-run home run by Cameron Mahaffy.  Austin Balentine induced the next two Cougars to ground out to Perez and third and to strike out the Warriors took the series opener, 8-4.

WARRIOR HITTERS:  Stan State had ten hits on the day. Kyle Rachels went three-for-four with a double.  Flavio Perez was two-for-two with a three runs scored and a solo home run.  Ryan Leonesio was two-for-four with four runs batted in and a double.  Robert Valdivia had two hits and Chris Catalano scored two runs and had a solo home run.

STAN STATE PITCHER:  Austin Balentine (6-2) pitched a seven-hit complete game victory.  He struck out six and walked one while giving up four runs. 

UP NEXT: The series will continue tomorrow with a 1pm starting doubleheader.  The two teams will conclude the series this Sunday, April 28 with an 11am starting single game.  Prior to the game, Stan State will recognize its seven seniors in Caleb Bertoncini, Kody Cardoza, Tony Cortez, Will Crookham, Tony Jacob,, Kyle Rachels, and Damian Vallejos.