Box Score HAYWARD, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay baseball team exploded for 12 runs on 13 hits Wednesday afternoon at Pioneer field, completing the four-game sweep over Central Washington. Kyle Zozaya and Andrew Rodriguez each notched three hits for East Bay in a 12-2 win that featured 10 errors between the teams. Zachary Wong picked up his second win of the young season, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings in relief.

Junior Nick Hudson got the start on the hill, his first in a Pioneer uniform. The right-hander found himself in trouble early, as the Wilcats loaded the bases in the first inning on a hit, an error, and a walk. After Justin Peterson made it 1-0 with a single to left, Hudson got a huge strikeout followed by a ground out to escape further damage.

The Pioneers answered right back, and for the fourth consecutive game, Rodriguez got on base to lead things off. The senior reached on an infield single, and then Brandon Alexander hit a chopper to first. The Wildcat first baseman tried to go to second for the force, but his throw hit Rodriguez in the back, so both runners were safe. The Pioneers loaded the bases when starting pitcher Randy Button couldn't handle Eren Miravalles' bunt attempt, and then they tied the game on Jordan Wilder's sacrifice fly. After Alexander scored on a passed ball, Kyle Zozaya plated a run with a single, and then David Castillo knocked in another with a ground out. By the time the first inning ended, it was 4-1 in favor of East Bay.

Both pitchers settled down after that, and the score remained the same until the fourth. Then the Pioneers scored two runs in four straight innings. Roger Luna got to second base on a dropped fly ball by the right fielder, and two batters later, Rodriguez drive him in with a single to right. The Pioneers' lead-off hitter proceeded to steal second, then he scored on consecutive wild pitches, making in 6-1.

Central Washington pushed across another run in the top of the fifth. Joe Castro reached on an error and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Hudson came out after 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and no earned runs, and posting four strikeouts.

Wilder singled and stole second base to start the bottom of the fifth, scoring two batters later on an RBI single from Zozaya. After Castillo reached on another error, Luna shot a single through the right side to plate the eighth East Bay run.

Wilder was in the middle of the Pioneer scoring rally again an inning later. The senior laced a base hit up the middle to drive in pinch runner Cory Hearne, eventually scoring himself on a wild pitch. East Bay added two more in the seventh when Miravalles singled home Zac Chuvala, and then David Elzig brought Rodriguez home with a sacrifice fly.

Left-hander Bryce Vidmar pitched the eighth inning for the Pioneers, making his first career appearance. The junior tossed a perfect frame, picking up two strikeouts.

Head coach Bob Ralston went to another lefty for the ninth, junior Billy Wardell. The Oakley native was also appearing in his first game for East Bay and had similar success. Wardell tossed a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out one batter.

“We faced a pretty good pitching staff this week, those guys had some good arms,” said Ralston after the game. “We had great two-strike at bats, though, and we kept putting the pressure on their defense.”

Zozaya finished 3-for-3 with two walks and two RBI, reaching base all five times in the game. Rodriguez went 3-for-6 and scored three runs to cap off an impressive series. The Pioneer centerfielder led the team with seven hits, five runs, and 12 total bases in the series. He's one of four Pioneers (along with Miravalles, Wilder, and Zozaya) to bat over .400 in the four games.

Wilder was 2-for-3 with two runs and a pair of RBI out of the clean-up spot. Luna also notched two hits and was one of seven East Bay hitters to knock in a run.

Marcus Williams was in the Pioneer starting lineup for the first time in his career today, getting the nod at shortstop. In his first at bat of the game leading off the second inning, the freshman ripped a single up the middle for his first career hit. Williams came up again with a runner on second in the fourth, but this time he was less fortunate. Williams squared around to bunt, but the pitch came in high and tight and hit his hand while it was holding the bat. He came out, was later diagnosed with a broken finger, and will likely have to miss a few weeks.

“Losing Marcus is tough, it will hurt out infield depth a bit, so some guys will have to step up,” added Ralston. “Overall, this was a great start to the season. We only have three more games before conference, so we'll try to build off this series.”

The Pioneers are back in action this weekend for another home series to culminate Homecoming Week at Cal State East Bay. They'll host Oregon Tech for a doubleheader starting at noon on Saturday, followed by an 11 a.m. game Sunday.