HAYWARD, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay baseball team picked up its first win of 2025 on Monday, securing a commanding 7-2 victory over MSU Billings in the series finale at Pioneer Baseball Field. The Pioneers' explosive first inning set the tone for the game, propelling them to their first win of the season.
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GAME SUMMARY |
The contest began with a bang offensively for the Pioneers, who erupted for five runs in the bottom of the first inning. After Luke Brown reached on an error, Camron Grant delivered an RBI single, showcasing his clutch hitting. After Grant reached base, followed by a walk to Gio Martini and a hit-by-pitch drawn by Quinn Ayres, the highlight of the inning came when Jacob Klinovsky launched a grand slam to right field, clearing the bases and giving the Pioneers a substantial 5-0 lead.
MSU Billings attempted to chip away at the lead, scoring single runs in the second and third innings. Parker Bleggi and Ryan Jeffrey each contributed RBI hits for the Yellowjackets, but their efforts weren't enough to overcome the Pioneers' early advantage.
Cal State East Bay added two more runs in the third inning, capitalizing on MSU Billings' defensive miscues. Martini scored on a throwing error, and Ayres executed steal of home with his situational awareness as the defensive rundown attempt of the other runner on base provided his opportunity to score, extending the lead to 7-2.
The Pioneers' pitching staff, led by starter Andres De Leon, held the Yellowjackets at bay for the remainder of the game. De Leon earned his first win as a Pioneer, while the bullpen combination of Owen Gallegos, Nicholas Goff, and Steven Palermo shut out MSU Billings over the final four innings to secure the victory. Palermo picked up the save by striking out the side in the top of the ninth inning.
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NOTABLE STATS |
- Klinovsky's grand slam was the third of his career and sixth home run overall in four seasons at East Bay.
- Martini and Ayres scored two runs each.
- In the win, De Leon pitched 5.0 innings allowing two runs and striking out two batters.
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
The Pioneers will host Menlo in their series opener on Friday, February 7, at Pioneer Baseball Field in Hayward, California. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. The series with the Oaks includes a home game on Friday and Sunday, surrounding a road game on Saturday in Atherton.
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