LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's baseball team was famous for its late-inning magic in 2017 and the Golden Eagles kicked off their 2018 campaign with another exciting rally, only to fall short to Stanislaus State on Friday.

The Golden Eagles were blanked through the first seven innings, but scored once in the eighth and three times in the ninth to make things interesting in a 6-4 non-conference loss to California Collegiate Athletic Association foe Stanislaus State at Reeder Field. Cal State LA started slowly in its season opener, but had the tying runs on base in the ninth inning against the Warriors (3-1).

Stanislaus State opened its season last week by winning two of three games against Northwest Nazarene.

Joey Deceglie got the opening day start for the Golden Eagles and pitched well, allowing three earned runs in five innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out seven. Saxon Andross pitched four solid innings of relief, giving up four hits and two runs while striking out five.

Joe Ryan was outstanding for the Warriors, scattering five hits over six strong innings. Cody Kruip allowed only one run over the next two innings before leaving with the bases loaded and Sean Watkins coming to the plate. Chase Wheatcroft came on, walked Watkins and allowed two-run single to Jordan Peabody before getting the final outs to record his third save of the season.

Andre Gregory had three hits in his Cal State LA debut, while Peabody had a pair of hits and drove in three runs.

Jack Large hit a first-inning home run for Stanislaus State and had two RBI. Brandon De La Guardia had three hits and three RBI for the Warriors.

Anthony Ayala was 2-for-3 with a triple for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA left 12 runners on base, while Stanislaus State stranded seven.

Large's solo home run in the first staked the Warriors to a quick 1-0 lead and Stanislaus State got three more runs in the fourth, two coming on a double by DeLa Guardia. The Warriors added a run in the sixth on a run-scoring single by DeLa Guardia to take a 5-0 lead.

Cal State LA made it 5-1 in the eighth on back-to-back doubles from Jorge Garcia and Peabody, but Stanislaus State got the run back in the top of the ninth to make it 6-1.

Nate Alam walked, Eli Orona reached on an error and Gregory singled to right to load the bases in the ninth. Watkins worked a walk to force in a run and Peabody singled up the middle with one out to drive in two and make it 6-4. With the tying runs on base, Wheatcroft battled back and got the final two outs.

Cal State LA will return to action with a doubleheader on Saturday against Stanislaus State beginning at noon.