HAYWARD, Calif., -- The Cal State East Bay baseball team suffered it's first defeat of the season after falling to No. 19 Stanislaus State, 8-2 in the series opener of their four-game Homecoming Series at Pioneer Field.
 
Despite the loss, the Pioneers have gotten off to the best start in program history as they move to 8-1 on the season with a 4-1 mark in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) action.
 
East Bay totaled season lows in hits and runs while also allowing eight runs from Stanislaus State, the second most by an opponent all season.
 
The Pioneers opened the scoring when Ryan McSwain belted an RBI double to left field scoring Samuel Esparza to take a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning. The Warriors would respond with three runs of their own in the top of the third inning. McSwain compiled a double and an RBI while Esparza scored a run and drew a walk.
 
Then senior catcher Omar Sanchez pushed a solo shot over the left field fence. For Sanchez, a native of Winton, it was his first home run of the season and the second of his Pioneer career. He finished with a hit, a home run, a run and an RBI.
 
Jordan Macias and Kaleb Keelean both added one hit each for East Bay.
 
Reigning CCAA Pitcher of the Week Ethan Brodsky (L, 1-1) got the start on the hill for the Pioneers and racked up five strikeouts through 5.1 innings of action. Ryan Robinson followed and retired two Warrior batters. Shane Cancilla, Connor Fleaharty and Garrison Finck all tossed one inning each with Fleaharty recording one strikeout.
 
The Pioneers will look to bounce back in this series with a doubleheader scheduled against the Warriors scheduled for Saturday, February 22 at 11:00 a.m. at Pioneer Baseball Field.