SEASIDE, Calif. — Stan State split its CCAA doubleheader at No. 17 Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday, falling 6–3 in the opener before responding with a 10–7 victory in the nightcap at the Otter Sports Complex.
The Warriors are now 21–26 overall and 12–18 in CCAA play, while the Otters move to 36–13 overall and 21–10 in conference action.
In game one, Stan State battled throughout but came up short in a 6–3 loss.
The Otters took advantage of two unearned runs in the second inning to build an early lead before the Warriors answered in the third. Tyler Crudo singled and Kian Sanchez followed with an RBI double to cut the deficit to 2–1.
Cal State Monterey Bay added a run in the fifth before Stan State tied the game in the sixth. AJ Carter drew a walk and Eric Perez delivered a two-run home run to even the score at 3–3.
However, the Otters regained control in the seventh, scoring three runs — all unearned — to take a 6–3 lead.
Stan State finished with eight hits in the opener. Perez went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI, while Crudo added two hits. Sanchez also had two hits and an RBI.
Zach Geiss started and went 5.0 innings, allowing three runs (one earned), while Rocco Gurrola (1–4) took the loss in relief.
In game two, the Warriors responded with an offensive outburst, defeating the Otters 10–7.
Stan State jumped out early, scoring four runs in the first inning highlighted by RBI hits from Chris Ortiz, Mason Kelley and Korey Likens. Sanchez added a solo home run in the second to extend the lead to 5–0.
After Monterey Bay rallied to tie the game at 5–5, the Warriors answered in the third. Tyler Crudo hit a solo home run, and Sanchez delivered a three-run homer to give Stan State a 9–4 advantage.
The Otters chipped away, but Stan State added an insurance run in the sixth on Kelley's solo home run to push the lead to 10–5.
Cal State Monterey Bay scored twice late, but the Warriors held on for the 10–7 win.
Stan State recorded 15 hits in the nightcap. Sanchez led the way with two home runs and four RBI, while Navarette Jr. had three hits. Kelley added two hits and three RBI, and Likens contributed three hits and an RBI.
Payton Hawkinson (3–4) earned the win in relief, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing three runs. Pierce Sailer recorded his sixth save of the season.
Warrior Notables
- Kian Sanchez hit three home runs on the day, including two in game two and one in the opener.
- Eric Perez hit a two-run home run in game one.
- Tyler Crudo homered in game two.
- Mason Kelley added a solo home run in the nightcap.
- Korey Likens recorded three hits in game two.
- Pierce Sailer recorded his team-leading sixth save of the season and is now tied for sixth in single-season saves and tied for eighth in career saves at Stan State.
Up Next
The series concludes Saturday at 12 p.m. in Seaside.
All CCAA games will be available on FloCollege with live stats provided.
