SAN MARCOS, Calif. — Stan State used a five-run first three innings and strong relief work to earn a 5-3 win over Cal State San Marcos in Sunday's series finale at Dennis A. Pugh Field.

With the win, the Warriors improved to 16-17 overall and 7-9 in CCAA play, while Cal State San Marcos fell to 20-7 overall and 7-5 in conference play. Evan Fanconi (2-0) earned the win in relief, Luke Higgins (1-2) took the loss, and Pierce Sailer picked up his fourth save of the season.

Stan State got on the board in the top of the first when Chris Ortiz singled home Eli Hancock to tie the game at 1-1 after the Cougars answered in the bottom half.

The Warriors then broke it open in the third. Hancock led off the inning with a single before Zach Lewis launched a two-run home run to left for a 3-1 lead. Later in the frame, Ortiz doubled to right center and AJ Carter followed with a two-run homer to push the lead to 5-1.

Cal State San Marcos chipped away in the fifth on a solo home run by Jacob Embleton and a sacrifice fly by Christopher Tampoya to cut the deficit to 5-3, but Stan State's bullpen held from there.

Zach Geiss started and went 4.1 innings, allowing three runs while striking out four. Fanconi tossed 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, giving up just one hit, and Sailer closed it out in the ninth.

At the plate, Hancock went 2-for-5 and scored twice, Ortiz finished 2-for-5 with an RBI and a double, Lewis was 1-for-4 with a walk and two RBI, and Carter went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer.

Warrior Notables

• Pierce Sailer recorded his fourth save of the season, moving into a tie for ninth on Stan State's single-season saves list.
• Evan Fanconi earned the win with 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit.
• Zach Lewis hit his second home run of the season, driving in two runs in the decisive third inning.
• AJ Carter hit his third home run of the season, also finishing with two RBI.
• Eli Hancock led the offense with two hits and scored twice.
• Chris Ortiz finished with two hits, including a double, and drove in the game's first run.
• Stan State hit two home runs in the third inning, accounting for four of its five runs.

CCAA Standings
Cal Poly Pomona leads the CCAA at 11-5 (.688) and 19-11 overall, followed by Cal State Monterey Bay at 7-4 (.636) and 22-7 overall. Cal State San Marcos and Cal State San Bernardino are both 7-5 (.583), with the Cougars at 20-7 overall and the Coyotes at 13-14. Cal State East Bay sits at 6-5 (.545) and 15-14 overall, while Cal State LA is 8-8 (.500) and 18-15 overall. Stan State is 7-9 (.438) and 16-17 overall, followed by Chico State at 5-11 (.312) and 16-18 overall, and Cal State Dominguez Hills at 5-11 (.312) and 13-16 overall.

The top five teams qualify for the CCAA Baseball Championships, set for May 6-9 at Fiscalini Field in San Bernardino. Stan State has 16 games remaining in the regular season.

Note: Cal State East Bay currently leads Cal State Monterey Bay 7-2 in Sunday's series finale.

Up Next
Stan State returns to action April 10-12 with a four-game CCAA road series at Cal State San Bernardino in San Bernardino, Calif. The series begins Friday at 3 p.m., continues with a Saturday doubleheader at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., and concludes Sunday at 11 a.m. at Fiscalini Field.

The Warriors then return home April 17-19 to host Chico State for a four-game set at Warrior Baseball Field, beginning Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and wrapping up Sunday at 12 p.m.

Stan State continues its home-stand April 24-26 against Cal State Dominguez Hills, starting Friday at 6 p.m. (Blue Chip Sports Sponsorship Night), followed by a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and concluding Sunday at 12 p.m. on Senior Day.

The Warriors close out the regular season April 30-May 2 with a four-game road series at No. 10 Cal State Monterey Bay in Seaside, Calif. The series opens Thursday at 6 p.m., continues with a Friday doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and concludes Saturday at 12 p.m.