Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LA JOLLA, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay baseball team received solid pitching on Friday, but couldn't repeat yesterday's offensive explosion. The Pioneers (23-10, 13-10 CCAA) dropped a pair of low-scoring games to UC San Diego (17-13, 12-11 CCAA), totaling just two runs and eight hits over 16 innings. East Bay couldn't hang onto a late lead on the first game, and then fell victim to an outstanding outing by Triton pitcher Troy Cruz in the nightcap. This marks the first time the Pioneers have been swept in a doubleheader this year.

Game 1 – UCSD 3, CSUEB 2

The Pioneers received another brilliant pitching performance from Sean Becker in the first game of the day, but they managed just two runs and weren't able to hold the lead in the last inning.

The junior right-hander completely shut down the Triton offense in the early going. He allowed just one hit through the first four innings, retiring 14 straight batters at one point. Unfortunately for East Bay, UCSD starter Blake Fassler was nearly as effective, holding the Pioneer offense scoreless into the fifth.

The Triton defense helped the Pioneers grab a lead in the top of the fifth inning. Kyle Zozaya reached on an error by the shortstop, and Bryson Nakamura followed with an opposite-field single. David Castillo then sacrificed the runners to second and third with a bunt, setting up Andrew Rodriguez for the big hit of the game. The senior shot a base hit up the middle, plating both runs to give East Bay a 2-0 lead.

Becker cruised through the first seven innings, but ran into a bit of trouble in the eighth. With two outs and no one on base, Danny Susdurf hit a double down the left field line. The next batter chopped a ball towards the right side of second base, but Miravalles' throw to first was low and got away from Kenny Uyetake, allowing Susdorf to come around and score.

With Becker's pitch count climbing, head coach Bob Ralston turned to his closer, Charlie Sharrer, to try to get the final four outs. Becker finished his day allowing an unearned run on four hits and one walk in 7.2 innings of work. He ultimately did not factor into the decision. Sharrer proceeded to strike out Richard Seigel with the tying run on second to end the eighth.

The ninth inning didn't go as smoothly for East Bay. Sharrer got ahead of the first hitter 0-2, but then threw four straight balls to issue the leadoff walk. The next batter hit a ground ball that bounced just over the diving glove of Miravalles into right field for a hit. With first and third, Dillon Moyer lined a double on a full count into the right-center gap, plating the tying run. After an intentional walk, Ralston turned to Bryce Vidmar to try to get out of the bases loaded jam. However, Ho-Kyun Choi lifted a sacrifice fly into center that brought home the winning run for UCSD.

Sharrer (0-3) suffered the loss for East Bay, allowing two runs on two hits. The Pioneers managed just four hits in the game: one each from Rodriguez, Nakamura, Brandon Alexander, and David Elzig.

Game 2 – UCSD 3, CSUEB 0

The second game of the day was another pitcher's duel, and once again East Bay came out on the losing end. Michael Pope got the start for the Pioneers and looked good early, but the sophomore fell into trouble the second time through the lineup. Susdorf sliced an RBI triple down the right field line to break the scoreless tie. A sacrifice fly made it 2-0 Tritons after three innings.

UCSD picked up another run in the fifth. With a runner on second, the Pioneers elected to intentionally walk Susdorf. But Andrew Hobson made them pay, picking up his second RBI of the game with a single. That was all the Tritons would get off Pope, but it would be plenty.

Cruz shut down the East Bay offense, scattering four hits and a walk in seven scoreless innings. The Pioneers never even got a runner into scoring position, despite striking out only once as a team. Alexander, Rodriguez, Elzig, and Jordan Wilder each recorded a hit for East Bay, and Uyetake was on base once with a walk.

It took nine outings, but Pope (7-1) finally suffered his first loss of the season. The right-hander allowed three earned runs on seven hits in a six-inning complete game. He walked two (both intentional) and struck out five Tritons.

The Pioneers will attempt to split the four-game series when the teams meet on Saturday morning for the finale. UCSD is expected to send Trevor Scott (1-3, 8.44 ERA) to the mound, and East Bay will turn to right-hander Nick Hudson (1-1, 2.67 ERA) with first pitch set for 11 a.m.