SEASIDE, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay baseball team dropped the opener of its road series at Cal State Monterey Bay by a final score of 14-4 on Friday afternoon. It was the first game of California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) competition for both teams.

Junior Marcus Williams had a career day in the loss, going 4-for-4 with a double, a stolen base, and two runs scored. It was the first career four-hit game for Williams, who seems to enjoy hitting in Seaside. Last season, he went 4-for-7 with three RBI in the doubleheader at CSUMB, including a 3-for-4 performance in the morning game. The Pioneer second baseman now leads the team with a .571 batting average through five games (8-for-14).

The Otters (5-4) took control of the game early, thanks to a two-out rally in the bottom of the first against Pioneer starter Justin Harr. The senior right-hander walked the bases loaded, and Monterey came up with two singles and a triple -- all with two outs -- to grab a 6-0 lead.

That was more than enough support for Otter freshman Greg Steinbeck, who tossed six innings and allowed one run to earn his third victory. 

Junior Rudy Navarro knocked home East Bay's first run of the game with an RBI single in the fourth. But the Otters answered back with two runs each in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to quell any hopes of a Pioneer comeback.

Freshman Dakota Conners had a big day for CSUEB off the bench. He came up with the bases loaded in the seventh and shot a two-run single through the ride side. The Manteca native came to the plate again in the ninth, driving in the team's final run with a single into left field to finish 2-for-3 with a team-best three RBI.

Sophomore Marcus Wise also had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored. 

Freshman Jacob Call was first out of the bullpen for the Pioneers, making his second appearance of the season. The right-hander allowed four earned runs and struck out five over 3.1 innings. 

Call was relieved by junior Wyatt Foreman, who gave up a run in 1.2 innings. Pitching for the first time in a Pioneer uniform, Foreman allowed two hits and recorded two strikeouts. Junior lefty David Elzig tossed the final inning for East Bay and gave up a run on three hits.

The teams continue their series in Seaside on Saturday, Feb. 21 with a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. Senior Michael Pope is expected to take the ball in the morning game for the Pioneers (3-2).