Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s baseball team didn't manage much offense in its California Collegiate Athletic Association doubleheader with Cal State Monterey Bay, but the Golden Eagles did just enough to earn a split.
After dropping the opener, 5-2 in 11 innings, the Golden Eagles rode the pitching of
Gabriel Asakura and a fifth-inning go-ahead single from
Chad Nacapoy to beat the Otters, 1-0, in the nightcap.
Cal State L.A. (22-13, 17-10) had only three hits in the nightcap, but Asakura didn't need much support to improve to 6-0 on the season. He blanked the Otters on just two hits while walking two and striking out six.
Cal State Monterey Bay (13-18, 10-12 CCAA) got tremendous pitching as well from its starter, Aaron Appino, who allowed only three hits and the one run while walking three and striking out four.
All five hits in the nightcap by the two teams were singles.
The only run of the game came in the fifth when
Manny Acosta drew a one-out walk and stole second. Nacapoy delivered his run-scoring single with two out to drive in Acosta even though he was ultimately thrown out trying to reach second.
Asakura took it from there. He gave up a leadoff single in the sixth to Ronnie Fhurong, but got a double-play grounder from the next hitter and escaped the inning unscathed. He then retired all three batters he faced in the seventh to record his second shutout and third complete game.
The Golden Eagles suffered a tough loss in the opener when Cal State Monterey Bay rallied for a 5-2 win in 11 innings. Cal State L.A. had a 2-1 lead entering the ninth, but the Otters scored the tying run with two outs on a wild pitch. In the bottom of the ninth,
Chris Matzner tried to score the winning run from second base on a single by
Cliff Quick, but Cal State Monterey Bay left fielder Nolan Murray threw him out with a strong throw on a close play at the plate. That sent the game into extra innings.
The Otters then broke through for three runs in the top of the 11th to win it. The Golden Eagles saved one run when Murray was unable to get down a squeeze bunt and Tommy George was cut down at the plate in a rundown. Murray more than made up for it, though, when he promptly singled to drive in Tony Hernandez with the go-ahead run. He later scored on a double by Tyler Young, who scored the final run on a double by Greg Fujii.
Paul Brock retired the Golden Eagles in order in the 11th to pick up his fourth save of the season and preserve the win for Jake Paolinetti. Jacob Crose started and gave up just five hits and one earned run in 5 2/3 innings and Paolinetti followed with 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to get the win.
David Arredondo had an outstanding start for the Golden Eagles, allowing just one run over the first eight innings. He left with one out and one on in the ninth, but got a no-decision when the Otters rallied to tie the score. He gave up eight hits and two runs while walking none and striking out two.
Cal State L.A. scored its only two runs in the first two innings and was then blanked the rest of the way.
Joe Park reached on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Quick in the first inning and Acosta singled in
Brian Moon in the second.
Flores had three hits in the opener for the Golden Eagles, while Quick had two.
The Golden Eagles will conclude the series with the Otters on Sunday at Reeder Field at 11 a.m.
