SEASIDE, Calif. — Stan State dropped the opener of its final CCAA series of the regular season, falling 10–2 to No. 17 Cal State Monterey Bay on Thursday afternoon at the Otter Sports Complex.
Stan State falls to 20–25 overall and 11–17 in CCAA play, while the No. 17 Otters improve to 35–12 overall and 20–9 in conference action.
The Otters struck first in the bottom of the first inning on a solo home run to take a 1–0 lead, and the game remained close through the early innings.
Cal State Monterey Bay broke the game open in the fourth, scoring six runs to extend its lead to 7–0. The Otters capitalized on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, a sacrifice fly and a three-run double to highlight the inning.
Stan State responded in the fifth when Tyler Crudo singled and Kian Sanchez followed with a two-run home run to center field to cut the deficit to 7–2.
However, Monterey Bay answered with three more runs in the sixth inning, including a two-run home run, to push the lead to 10–2.
The Warriors were unable to generate further offense late in the game.
Stan State finished with seven hits, led by Crudo, who went 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI, while Mason Kelley added two hits.
Evan Fanconi (3–1) took the loss, allowing seven runs in 3.2 innings of work. Jared Sawyer pitched 4.1 innings in relief, allowing three runs.
Cal State Monterey Bay totaled 11 hits in the contest. Andrew Lehmann led the Otters with two hits and four RBI, while Bobby Benavidez and Kyle Olimpia each hit home runs. Drew Aguiar (5–2) earned the win after tossing seven innings, allowing two runs while striking out eight.
Warrior Notables
- Kian Sanchez hit his fourth home run of the season.
- Tyler Crudo recorded his 13th multi-hit game of the season and his sixth three-hit performance.
Up Next
The series continues Friday with a doubleheader at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Seaside, followed by the regular season finale on Saturday at 12 p.m. at CSUMB Baseball Field.
