Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 HAYWARD, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay baseball team split a doubleheader against visiting Cal State Monterey Bay (7-3, 2-1 CCAA) at Pioneer Field Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers (8-2, 1-2 CCAA) allowed just six total runs in the two games and notched their first conference win of the season. Naea Kalehuawehe drove in five runs in game one and Michael Pope pitched six innings to earn his third victory in the 8-3 win. Senior Matt Fontaine went the distance in game two, but was outdueled by the Otters' Jeff Owen in a 3-1 Pioneer defeat.

Game 1 — CSUEB 8, CSUMB 3

Monterey Bay drew first blood against the Pioneers in the top of the second when Pope walked the first two batters to lead off the inning. After a sac bunt, Ronnie Fhurong made it 1-0 Otters with a single. East Bay answered back with a run of its own in the bottom of the inning. Kyle Zozaya doubled with one out and advanced to third on an error by the shortstop. Then senior David Castillo hit a drive right at the right fielder, but deep enough for Zozaya to score on the sac fly to tie the game.

The Pioneers put up their first crooked number an inning later. After Andrew Rodriguez singled and Brandon Alexander walked, Eren Miravalles gave East Bay the lead with an RBI single through the hole. After a walk to Wilder and a pair of outs, Kalehuawehe came up with the big hit in the inning, a two-run single to right field that made it 4-1 Pioneers.

It looked like it would be a high-scoring day when the Otters came right back with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. A walk and a single started the inning, then Otter catcher Jesse Olson laced a double over Wilder's head in left field to plate both runs. Pope settled down and struck out the next two batters to preserve the 4-3 lead. The sophomore right-hander found his groove after that, setting down eight hitters in a row following the double.

In the fifth, East Bay took advantage of a Monterey Bay miscue. With two outs, Zozaya hit a hard grounder to third that should've ended the inning, but went right under the third baseman's glove. Kalehuawehe followed with a two-run double, then Castillo tacked on an RBI single to extend the Pioneers' lead to 7-3.

Wilder and Kalehuaweheh created the final East Bay run in the seventh inning. Wilder singled up the middle, stole second, stole third, then scored on Kalehuawehe's base hit through the right side.

Pope (3-0) exited the game with no outs in the top of the seventh and picked up his third win in as many outings. He tossed 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out five Otters. Pope was relieved by senior closer Charlie Sharrer, who notched yet another old-fashioned save. Sharrer pitched the final three innings, giving up two hits and striking out three to lock down the 8-3 win.

Kalehuawehe was 3-for-5 in the game. The junior first baseman scored a run and set a career high with five RBI. Miravalles was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. Zac Chuvala was 2-for-4 for the Pioneers out of the nine hole, including a triple in the eighth inning. Castillo was 1-for-3, knocking in a pair of runs.

Game 2 — CSUMB 3, CSUEB 1

The back end of Saturday's doubleheader was scheduled for seven innings, and it ended up being a pitcher's duel between East Bay's Fontaine and Monterey Bay's Owen. The Otters got on the board first, once again thanks to the catcher Olson, who drove in three of the six CSUMB runs in the two games. Fontaine issued a pair of walks to put two on, and Olson made him pay with a two-out RBI single up the middle.

The Otters added another run in the fourth when left fielder Mark Hurley hit one over the left field fence, the first home run at Pioneer Field since Rodriguez led off the opener with a dinger nine games ago. Hurley's solo shot made it 2-0 Otters.

The Pioneers finally answered back with a run in the fifth. Sharrer singled through the hole to lead things off, and pinch-hitter Cory Hearne followed with a base hit to left. Chuvala laid a great bunt down to third base and beat it out for the infield hit, loading the bases with nobody out. The Otters got a huge force out at home when Rodriguez chopped a ball to third base. Alexander followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1, but Miravalles flied out to right field to end the inning.

That ended up being East Bay's best scoring opportunity, as the Otters' Owen shut them down the rest of the way. Monterey Bay added an unearned run in the top of the seventh and was able to hang on for the 3-1 win. Both starters pitched all seven innings, with Owen allowing one run on five hits for the victory.  Fontaine (1-1), meanwhile, gave up two earned runs on four hits and struck out six in his second career start.

Chuvala was 2-for-3 in the game. The junior shortstop was the only Pioneer to post multiple hits, and he led the team with four knocks (4-for-7) in the doubleheader. Rodriguez was on base twice with a single and a walk.

This four-game series concludes tomorrow back in Seaside. The Pioneers will send Sean Becker to the mound against the Otters' Josh Eagle as they attempt to earn a split. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Otters Sports Complex.