TURLOCK, Calif. — Stan State closed out its home schedule on Senior Day with an 8–4 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills on Sunday afternoon at Warrior Baseball Diamond, earning a split of the four-game CCAA series. Prior to the game, the Warriors honored 20 seniors in a pregame ceremony, and the group helped deliver a win in their final appearance at home.
Stan State improved to 20–24 overall and 11–16 in CCAA play, while the Toros fell to 18–23 overall and 10–17 in conference action. The Warriors have now split three conference series this season and finished the year 15–12 at home.
The Warriors set the tone early and carried it throughout the game.
Stan State struck first in the opening inning when
Kian Sanchez reached base and later scored on an RBI single by
Zach Lewis.
Chris Ortiz followed with a two-run home run to center field, giving the Warriors an early 3–0 lead.
Cal State Dominguez Hills got one run back in the second on a solo home run, but the Warriors answered in the third. Ortiz singled, advanced on a stolen base and came home on a sacrifice fly by
Mason Kelley to extend the lead to 4–1.
Stan State broke the game open in the fourth inning. With runners on base, Kelley delivered the big blow with a three-run home run to left center, pushing the lead to 8–1.
The Toros chipped away late, scoring two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh, but the Warriors' bullpen held firm to secure the 8–4 victory.
Stan State finished with 13 hits in the contest. Sanchez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Ortiz went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored. Kelley drove in a team-high five runs, highlighted by his three-run homer.
Eric Perez added three hits, and
Tyler Crudo also recorded three hits in the win.
Austin Balentine (7–4) earned the victory, tossing 6.0 innings and allowing three runs while striking out five. Fellow seniors
Jared Sawyer and
Rocco Gurrola combined to close out the final three innings, as the trio of seniors secured the win in the regular season home finale.
Cal State Dominguez Hills recorded 12 hits, led by Alex Cortez, who had three hits and three RBI including a home run. Connor Cornelius (3–3) was charged with the loss.
Warrior Notables
- Austin Balentine moved into sixth place in program history with 22 career wins and is now eighth all-time with 177 strikeouts.
- Chris Ortiz hit his third home run of the weekend and sixth of the season.
- Mason Kelley hit his fifth home run of the season, a three-run shot in the fourth inning.
- Tyler Crudo and Eric Perez each recorded three-hit games.
- Stan State secured its third CCAA series split of the season.
Senior Day
Prior to Sunday's finale, Stan State honored its senior class:
Shane Callison,
Jacob Reyes,
Cameron Rosen,
Tyler Crudo,
Korey Likens,
AJ Carter,
Rocco Gurrola,
Austin Balentine,
Eric Perez,
Bradley Morris,
Herman Luna,
Zach Geiss,
Arthur Navarette Jr.,
Evan Fanconi,
Jared Sawyer,
Adam Davies,
Chase Wilson,
Chris Ortiz,
Austin Sargent and
Cole Pacheco. The series marked Stan State's final home games of the 2026 season.
CCAA Standings
No. 10 Cal State Monterey Bay leads the CCAA standings at 19-9 in conference play and 34-12 overall. Cal Poly Pomona is second at 17-11 (27-18 overall), followed by Cal State San Marcos at 15-12 (28-14 overall). Cal State San Bernardino sits at 14-13 (22-22 overall), while Cal State LA is 16-15 (26-23 overall). Chico State and Cal State East Bay are both 12-16, while Stan State is 11-16 (20-24 overall) and Cal State Dominguez Hills is 10-18 (18-23 overall).
Cal State Monterey Bay has clinched a berth in the CCAA Baseball Championship Tournament, while Stan State has been eliminated from postseason contention. The top five teams at the conclusion of the regular season will advance to the tournament, scheduled for May 6–9 in San Bernardino.
Up Next
Stan State will close out the 2026 regular season on the road at No. 10 Cal State Monterey Bay in a four-game CCAA series in Seaside. The series begins Thursday, April 30 at 3 p.m., continues with a Friday doubleheader at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., and concludes Saturday, May 2 at 12 p.m.
Around the CCAA, Cal State San Bernardino will travel to Cal State Dominguez Hills for a four-game series in Carson. Chico State heads to Cal State East Bay for a four-game set in Hayward, while Cal State San Marcos will face Cal Poly Pomona in a key series in Pomona.
All series begin Thursday, continue with Friday doubleheaders, and conclude Saturday as teams make their final push for the top five spots and a berth in the CCAA Baseball Championship Tournament.
All games will be available on FloCollege with live stats provided.
