Box score

HAYWARD, Calif. – Kyle Zozaya hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to propel the Pioneer baseball team to their first victory of the season over visiting Azusa Pacific, 6-5, on February 9.

The Pioneers, now 1-1 for the season, jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run double by Jordan Wilder.

Azusa Pacific tied the game with three runs in the top of the fifth inning.

The Pioneers' Andrew Woolfe walked to open the bottom of the sixth and crossed home plate when Zozaya hit his first home run of the season.

Cal State East Bay added a solo run in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Brett Hall singled and scored on a double off the bat of Bryson Nakamura.

The Cougars, with a record of 2-3, rallied with single runs in the eighth and ninth, but stranded the tying run on third in the ninth inning.

“We played good defense and came up with clutch hits,” Pioneer coach Bob Ralston said. “Four of our six runs came with two outs. This was a good victory for our team.”

Pioneer starting pitcher Zachary Wong allowed three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and four walks in five innings of work. Wong retired the first five Cougar hitters he faced.

Ryan Devacenci, the second of three Pioneer hurlers, pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the victory.

AJ Gallardo gave up one earned run in the eighth and ninth innings to record the save.

Nakamura and Zozaya each had two hits while Woolfe scored a pair of runs.

The Pioneers will play Westmont College on February 11 at Atherton High School. The first pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.