HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay baseball team snapped its five-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over visiting Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday afternoon in the opener of the four-game California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) series between the two squads.

The Toros (12-9, 7-6 CCAA) came in hot, having won seven of their past nine games, but senior pitcher Michael Pope was able to quell the CSUDH bats to pick up his first victory of the season on a gorgeous day for baseball at Pioneer Field. East Bay improves to 5-12 on the season and 2-11 in league play.

Most of the day's scoring took place in the first inning, as the visitors jumped on the board early against Pope. After a walk, a hit batter, and a wild pitch put two runners in scoring position, Juan Avena found a hole up the middle for a two-out, two-run single.

The Pioneer bats answered right back, however, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead. Marcus Wise led things off with a single, and then a walk and a hit batter loaded the bases with one out. After Rob Link knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly, Marcus Williams shot a single into left field to re-load the bases. That brought up senior Ryan Kochan, who came up with the big hit of the inning. With the runners moving, Kochan lined a base hit into left-center to plate two runs. He then got in a rundown between first and second, allowing the fourth East Bay run of the inning to cross home plate.

The Pioneers added another run in the second inning when singles by Wise and Michael Frantz and a walk to Rudy Navarro loaded the bases once again. Senior Daniel Carney picked up the RBI with a ground out to shortstop. 

East Bay's offense did no more damage after that, but it turned out to be plenty of support for Pope, who followed up the first inning by posting seven scoreless frames. He struck out seven and walked one, needing just 99 pitches to get through eight innings.

Pope turned the ball over to left-hander Angel Lara, who worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to notch his first career save.

Kochan finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two RBI, and two stolen bases for the Pioneers. Wise was on base three times out of the leadoff spot with a pair of singles and a base on balls. CSUEB totaled six hits, also drew nine free passes in the game.

The series continues on Saturday, Mar. 14 with a doubleheader at Pioneer Field scheduled for 12 p.m. Cal State East Bay will be celebrating Military Day in honor of the men and women of the United States Armed Services, and camouflage "EB" hats and visors will be available for sale with all proceeds going to Folds of Honor.