HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay baseball team opened its three-game series against Cal State San Bernardino by splitting Saturday's doubleheader with the Coyotes at Pioneer Field. 

The visitors jumped out to a 9-0 advantage in the first game and cruised to a 10-1 victory. Troy Resch went 2-for-3 in the loss, but the Pioneers couldn't put much offense together otherwise. Junior Alex Vesia took the loss to drop his record to 1-4.

Sophomore Joel Lamont gave CSUEB an outstanding effort in game two, holding the Coyotes scoreless through the first five frames. In the bottom of the fifth, Michael Thomas got things started with a double, then Wyatt Foreman, Zack Perugi, and Joey Dice all followed with run-scoring hits to give East Bay a 3-0 advantage. 

CSUSB clawed back and tied in the game in the top of the seventh, but the Pioneers were determined to get the victory. With two out and runners and the corners, head coach Mike Cummins sent Kris Bartlett up to pinch hit. Bartlett proceeded to crush a triple into the right-center gap to plate two runs and give the Pioneers the lead back.

Junior Andrew Fernandez pitched the last two innings, allowing one run and escaping a bases-loaded jam in the ninth for his fourth save.

The Pioneers (15-8, 6-5 CCAA) tallied 12 hits in the game two victory. Thomas led the way going 3-for-4, and Daniel Goodrich also posted a multi-hit game. Resch reached base seven times in the doubleheader after a hit and three walks in the nightcap. 

The series concludes Sunday at 11 a.m. with the rubber match between the two squads at Pioneer Field.