LOS ANGELES, Calif.--- Stan State scored a season high 19 runs on a season high 22 hits to key the Warriors' 19-5 victory over the Cal State L.A. Golden Eagles to begin this weekend's four-game series in Los Angeles, Calif., this evening .  The trio of Robert Valdivia, Kyle Rachels, and Flavio Perez drove in twelve of the Warriors' 19 runs.  Austin Balentine (7-2) picked up his third consecutive victory and fourth in his last five outings for the guests.

Stan State took the early 1-0 lead in the Warriors' first inning.  Robert Valdivia and Kyle Rachels had back-to-back singles to begin the game.  Valdivia was thrown out at third when JD Madrigal reached on a fielder's choice.  Rachels scored when Chris Catalano reached on a Golden Eagle error.

The Warriors increased their lead to 3-0 with at wo-run second inning. Alex Solis had a lead-off home run.  Danny Murphy drew a walk and later scored on a single through the right side by Ryan Leonesio.
Cal State L.A. (22-25, 16-21 CCAA) cut the Warrior lead to 3-2 with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. 

Stan State (17-27-1, 13-22 CCAA) took a 5-2 lead on a two-run home run by Flavio Perez which brought in Catalano who reached base on a lead-off double.  The Warriors increased their lead to 7-2 with a two-run fourth.  Valdivia had a lead-off single and went to third when Rachels walked.  They advanced a base on a sacrifice bunt by Madrigal.  With one out, Catalano drove home Valdivia with a single through
the left side.  Rachels scored on a ground out by Perez. 

The Warriors added two more runs in the fifth on a two-run single by Rachels which brought in Leonesio and Jacob Baker to give the guests a 9-2 lead. They added two more runs in the sixth as they took a 11-2 lead on a two-run two-out single by Valvidia which scored Baker and Leonesio. 

Stan State scored six more runs in the seventh on five hits to take a 17-2 lead capped by a one-out two-run double by Rachels. 

The Golden Eagles scored their third run on a solo two-out home run by Matthew Pietrowski in the bottom of the eighth.  Stan State came right back whit two runs in the ninth to increase its lead to 19-3.  The hosts added their fourth and fifth runs on a two-run home run by Bryan Nunez to make the final 19-5.

WARRIOR HITTERS:  Seven Warriors had multiple-hit games in Robert Valdivia, Kyle Rachels, Chris Catalano, Flavio Perez, Alex Solis, Jacob Baker, and Ryan Leonesio.  Valdivia went five-for-seven with three runs batted in, three runs scored, and a stolen base.  Perez was three-for-seven with five runs batted in, two runs scored, a double, and a home run. Rachels was three-for-four with four runs batted in, two runs scored, and a double.  Solis was three-for-five with a run batted in, two runs scored, and a home run.  Leonesio was three-for-four with a run batted in, three runs scored, and two stolen bases.  Jacob Baker and Chris Catalano went a combined four-for-eight, with two runs batted in, and five runs scored. 

STAN STATE PITCHERS:  Austin Balentine (7-2) recorded the victory.  He pitched eight innings, giving up six hits and three runs (one earned), while striking out four and walking one.  Damian Vallejos pitched the final inning.

UP NEXT: The series will continue tomorrow afternoon with a 1pm starting doubleheader in Los Angeles.  The two teams will conclude the series with a single nine-inning game at noon on Saturday, May 4.