Box Score LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s baseball team took part in a wild series finale with California Baptist that couldn't end soon enough for both pitching staffs.
 
The Golden Eagles exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and held off California Baptist, 16-11, Monday night at Reeder Field. Cal State L.A. (1-2) had 15 hits to salvage the series finale against the Lancers. Cal State L.A. scored 34 runs in the three-game series, while California Baptist scored 31.
 
The pitchers actually fared pretty well through six innings with California Baptist holding a 3-2 lead. Then it became a free-for-all. The Golden Eagles scored four times in the bottom of the seventh to take a 6-3 lead, only to have the Lancers strike back for six runs in the top of the eighth.
 
Cal State L.A. topped that, though, with 10 runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead for good. James Wharton, who scored four runs as the Golden Eagles' first baseman, ended the game on the mound and held California Baptist to just two runs to complete the victory.
 
Cody Doyle continued his torrid hitting, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI. Wharton scored four runs and drove in two and Casey Ryan went 3-for-5 with three runs scored.
 
California Baptist (2-1) had 12 hits, including a game-tying three-run home run in the top of the eighth from Nathan Antoun.
 
The big hit of the game came off the bat of Cal State L.A.'s Niko Garcia, who delivered a bases-clearing double to give the Golden Eagles an 11-9 lead. Doyle added another bases-clearing double later in the inning to provide some insurance.
 
Kurt Smith worked the first five innings for the Golden Eagles and allowed six runs and three runs. After being touched for all three runs in the first inning, Smith settled down and blanked the Lancers over his final four innings.
 
Brandon Quintero worked two scoreless innings before the Lancers scored six runs – three of them earned – in the eighth. Quintero wound up with the victory after Cal State L.A.'s rally in the bottom of the frame.
 
Adam Hofacket worked five solid innings for California Baptist and allowed five hits and two runs. Matt Daugherty, who picked up a win and a save in the first two games of the series, wound up with the loss on Monday after being charged with four runs as part of the Golden Eagles' 10-run eighth.
 
Tyler Christian had two hits and two RBI, Ryan Cooperstone had two hits and Manny Acosta had two RBI.
 
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Friday at 6 p.m. with the opener of a four-game series against Dixie State College at Reeder Field.