ATHERTON, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay baseball team lost the second game of their three-game series against Menlo, falling 13-4 on Saturday afternoon at Cartan Field. Despite a promising start, the Pioneers couldn't withstand a late-game surge from the Oaks.
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GAME SUMMARY |
The Pioneers showcased their offensive prowess early, with Dominick Najar capitalizing on a Menlo error to score the game's first run on a sacrifice fly by Camron Grant. East Bay's resilience was on display as they reclaimed a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning, courtesy of Micah Cervantes' sacrifice fly and Najar's solo home run.
However, the tide turned dramatically in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs and a runner on base, Menlo unleashed a relentless seven-run rally that left the Pioneers reeling. The Oaks' offensive onslaught included four RBI hits, a bases-loaded walk, and a run scored on a wild pitch, propelling them to an 8-3 advantage.
East Bay showed signs of life in the eighth when pinch-hitter Kyle Dyer launched a solo home run to lead off the inning. The potential rally was short-lived, though, as a crucial double play with runners in scoring position extinguished the Pioneers' hopes of a comeback.
Menlo continued to apply pressure, tacking on five more runs in the eighth to secure their 13-4 victory. Despite a glimmer of hope in the ninth with two Pioneer batters reaching base on walks, Menlo's Charles Williams struck out the side to seal the win for the Oaks.
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NOTABLE STATS |
- Dominick Najar led the offensive charge, going 2-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored.
- Gio Martini matched Najar's output with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, adding a walk and a stolen base.
- Starting pitcher Max Gonzales delivered a solid outing, allowing just one run over 5.0 innings while striking out five batters.
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RECORDS |
Cal State East Bay: 1-5
Menlo: 2-0
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
The Pioneers will look to regroup and salvage the series as they return home for the finale. Cal State East Bay hosts Menlo in the rubber match on Sunday, February 9, with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m. at Pioneer Baseball Field in Hayward, California.
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