ATHERTON, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay baseball team nearly erased a three-run deficit Tuesday, but fell just short on the road as Menlo College held on to win the makeup game by a final score of 3-2.

The Oaks took two out of three from the Pioneers in a series that took nearly three weeks to complete after the opening weekend of the season was rained out.

It was a well-pitched game by the Pioneer staff as five hurlers combined to allow just seven hits, but the Menlo pitchers had a successful afternoon as well. East Bay totaled just six singles as the Oaks went with a true staff day for the midweek contest. Nine different Menlo pitchers tossed exactly one inning, and none allowed more than a run.

The Pioneers had one of their best scoring chances early, loading the bases in the second inning before a double play squelched the rally. Then in the bottom of the frame, Menlo took a 1-0 on a single, stolen base, wild pitch, and RBI ground out off CSUEB starter Ethan Brodsky.

The home team scored twice more in the third as designated hitter Christopher Lopez came up with a two-out, bases-loaded single against reliever Michael Espino. 

The East Bay pitchers were able to hold the Menlo bats down the rest of the way, as Jacob Nelson, Connor Fleharty, and Ransome Alexander combined for five scoreless frames, allowing just three hits during that time.

The Pioneers finally pushed across a run in the fifth when Adam Hollar started things off with a single, then moved into scoring position on an error by the second baseman. Joey Dice laced an RBI single get CSUEB on the board.

East Bay was unable to cut into their deficit over the next three innings, but mounted one more rally in the ninth. Hollar walked and stole second with one out. Robert Lujan ripped an opposite field hit to advance Hollar to third, then swiped a bag himself to put the tying run in scoring position. Ryan Thomasy brought in a run with a ground out to third, then Dice drew a walk. That brought up Brock Bueno, but the junior grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Hollar was the only Pioneer with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-2 with a walk, and he also scored both of the team's runs.

Next up, East Bay returns to its CCAA schedule with a four-game series this weekend at Pioneer Field against Cal State San Bernardino, starting Friday at 2 p.m.