HAYWARD, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay baseball team faced a tough challenge in their doubleheader against Montana State University Billings on Sunday at Chabot College Baseball Field. The games were relocated due to field conditions, setting the stage for an intense day of baseball action. The Pioneers were shut out in game one, 2-0 and dropped the second game in seven innings, 4-3.
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GAME SUMMARIES |
MSU Billings 2, Cal State East Bay 0
In the opener, the Pioneers' bats were silenced by a strong pitching performance from the Yellowjackets. MSU Billings' starter Jackson Betancourt set the tone early, tossing six shutout innings to keep East Bay off the scoreboard.
The Yellowjackets broke through in the second inning, plating two runs that would prove to be the difference in the game. Ryan Jeffrey delivered a crucial double, and Scott Artzer followed with a sacrifice fly to give MSU Billings a 2-0 lead.
Despite a solid outing from Cal State East Bay's starting pitcher Max Gonzales, who went six innings allowing just two runs, the Pioneers couldn't muster the offense needed to overcome the deficit. The Yellowjackets' bullpen sealed the deal, with Hayden Mullins earning the save in the 2-0 victory.
MSU Billings 4, Cal State East Bay 3 (7 innings)
The second game provided more drama, as the Pioneers showed resilience but ultimately fell short in a 4-3 loss. Cal State East Bay jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second inning to take control.
The rally began with Gio Martini singling through the left side and back-to-back walks to Aidan Morton and Jaylen Hodges. With the bases loaded, Martini scored on the next play despite a double play being turned. Following the double play, Jacob Froess came through with a clutch double to right field, driving in Morton for a 2-1 lead. Danelle Daniels then singled through the right side to bring home Froess, giving the Pioneers a 3-1 advantage.
However, MSU Billings chipped away at the lead, scoring a run in the fifth inning to close the gap. The turning point came in the top of the seventh when the Yellowjackets staged a late comeback. Zack Blaszak drew a walk and advanced to third on a stolen base and a balk. Jack Nehler's sacrifice fly tied the game, and Kaden Kirshenbaum followed with a go-ahead home run to left field, stunning the home crowd.
The Pioneers couldn't answer in the bottom of the seventh, as Andy Evans closed out the game for MSU Billings, securing the doubleheader sweep.
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NOTABLE STATS |
- Danelle Daniels went 2-for-7 on the day with an RBI and a stolen base across both games.
- Luke Brown went 2-for-6 with a double in the doubleheader.
- In the second game, Jacob Froess 1-for-2 with an RBI double.
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RECORDS |
Cal State East Bay: 0-3
MSU Billings: 3-0
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
The Pioneers will look to bounce back and salvage a game in the series finale, which has been rescheduled to Monday morning due to weather. Cal State East Bay will host Montana State-Billings on Monday, February 3, at Pioneer Baseball Field in Hayward, California. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. as the Pioneers aim to pick up their first win of the season and end the series on a high note.
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