SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stan State jumped out with a three-run inning early, but Cal State San Bernardino used a big middle stretch to pull away for a 15-3 decision in Friday's CCAA series opener at Fiscalini Field.

With the loss, the Warriors fall to 16-18 overall and 7-10 in conference play, while the Coyotes improve to 17-17 overall and 9-8 in the CCAA.

CSUSB struck first with three runs in the bottom of the first behind a two-run home run from Dom Dominguez and an RBI single by Tyson Pettingill.

Stan State answered right back in the second inning. Kian Sanchez led off with a single and Mason Kelley followed with a double to put two in scoring position. AJ Carter lifted a sacrifice fly to get the Warriors on the board before Eric Perez delivered the big swing—a two-run home run to left, his team-leading fourth of the season—to even the game at 3-3.

The Coyotes regained the lead in the second on a run-scoring fielder's choice and began to create separation in the third with a solo home run.  CSUSB broke the game open in the fourth, plating four runs highlighted by a two-run double from Eddie Alfaro and Dominguez's second two-run homer of the game to extend the lead to 9-3.  The Coyotes added on with a solo home run in the fifth, a two-run shot in the sixth, and a three-run homer in the eighth to account for the final margin.

Austin Balentine (5-4) took the loss for Stan State, allowing eight runs (seven earned) over three innings. Cameron Rosen provided three innings of relief, while Cole Pacheco closed out the final two frames.

Devyn Hernandez (3-1) earned the win for CSUSB, holding the Warriors to three runs on five hits over seven innings while striking out eight.

At the plate, Sanchez led the Warriors with a 2-for-4 day and a stolen base, while Perez drove in two runs with his home run.

Warrior Notables
— Eric Perez hit his third home run of the season, driving in two runs.
— Kian Sanchez notched a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a stolen base.
— Austin Balentine now has 171 career strikeouts, ranking ninth on Stan State's all-time top-10 list and sitting three shy of moving into eighth place.

CCAA Standings
Cal State Monterey Bay now sits at 11-6 (.647) and 27-9 overall and is trailing Cal State San Marcos 3-0 in the third inning of game two of their Friday doubleheader. Cal State San Marcos is 9-8 (.529) and 22-11 overall entering the contest.

Cal Poly Pomona is 12-8 (.600) and 20-14 overall and holds a 21-4 lead over Cal State East Bay in the eighth inning of game one of their doubleheader, with two more games scheduled later today. Cal State East Bay stands at 9-7 (.562) and 18-16 overall.

Cal State LA improved to 12-10 (.545) and 22-17 overall after an 8-7 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills in game one of their doubleheader, with game two currently in progress. Dominguez Hills is 7-15 (.318) and 15-20 overall.  Cal State San Bernardino moves to 9-8 (.529) and 17-17 overall following Friday's win, while Stan State is 7-10 (.412) and 16-18 overall. Chico State rounds out the standings at 8-12 (.400) and 19-19 overall.

The conference schedule continues Saturday with Stan State facing Cal State San Bernardino in a doubleheader at noon and 3 p.m. in San Bernardino. Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal State San Marcos will also play a doubleheader beginning at noon in San Marcos, while Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State LA continue their series in Los Angeles at 1 p.m. Cal Poly Pomona hosts Cal State East Bay for games at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Sunday's slate features Cal State Monterey Bay at Cal State San Marcos at 11 a.m. and Stan State closing its series at Cal State San Bernardino at 11 a.m.

Up Next
Stan State continues its series at Cal State San Bernardino with a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m., followed by the series finale on Sunday at 11 a.m. at Fiscalini Field. The Warriors then return home to host Chico State in a four-game CCAA series at Warrior Baseball Field, beginning Friday, April 17 at 6 p.m., followed by a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and concluding Sunday at 12 p.m. All games will be available on FloCollege with live stats and ticket information online.