HAYWARD, Calif. -- Senior designated hitter Jason Fletcher roped a ground-rule double to left field in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Cal State East Bay baseball team to a 3-2 victory over visiting Academy of Art on Friday afternoon.

It was a dramatic win on opening day of the 2015 season for the Pioneers (1-0), who trailed 1-0 into the seventh inning before junior catcher Chris Porter belted a two-run homer into the trees beyond left field.

After the Urban Knights (0-3) tied the score up in the top of the eighth on a single by Daniel Skinner, Fletcher gave East Bay the lead back for good in the bottom of the frame. Senior Devin Higgins was hit by a pitch and moved up to second on a balk to start the inning. He advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kelly Starnes, and then scored easily when Fletcher hooked a line drive to the warning track.

Redshirt freshman Andrew Fernandez picked up his first career victory after escaping a jam in the eighth inning. The 6'3" side-winder came in with one on and one out in relief of left-hander David Elzig and went 0.2 innings, striking out one and issuing an intentional walk.

After playing eight innings at shortstop, junior Michael Frantz came in and slammed the door, notching his first save as a Pioneer by striking out the side in the ninth. 

Despite a quiet day with the bats, East Bay kept the game tight with exceptional defensive play. Higgins flashed some leather with a sliding catch on a slicing line drive to right field with a runner on second base in the fourth inning, and then third baseman Ryan Kochan and first baseman Daniel Carney both made diving stops in the infield to save runs for the Pioneers.

"It's nice to get the first win under our belts," said head coach Bob Ralston. "Our defense carried us today, and then a couple of returners came up with big hits late in the game."

Senior Michael Pope got the start on the hill for East Bay and went four scoreless innings. He struck out four, allowed just two hits, and issued four walks. He was replaced by junior Cole Compton, making his first appearance in the red and black. Compton gave up three hits in 3.1 innings and was charged with both of Academy's runs. The right-hander also racked up four of the staff's 11 strikeouts for the game.

Besides Porter and Fletcher, junior Marcus Williams was the only other Pioneer to get a hit. He finished 1-for-2 and was also hit by a pitch in front of Porter's two-run blast.

The series between CSUEB and Academy of Art continues on Saturday with a Valentine's Day doubleheader at Pioneer Field starting at 11 a.m.