SEASIDE, Calif. – Nearly two years since the Cal State East Bay baseball program played in a CCAA contest, the Pioneers opened their 2022 conference schedule Friday evening at Otter Sports Complex. CSUEB dropped the opener of a four-game series against Cal State Monterey Bay, 9-1. 
 
The Otters opened the scoring in the first inning after Jacob Martin drove in a pair of with a bases loaded single. CSUMB doubled its lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run double off the bat of Charlie Nasuti. 
 
In the top of the sixth inning, Manny Garcia led off with a double for the Pioneers. Later in the inning, Matthew O'Mahony flied out, advancing Garcia to third base. Then, Luke Novitske singled up the middle to drive in Garcia for CSUEB's first run of the game. 
 
However, in the bottom of the sixth, four straight walks to lead to the start of a four-run inning for the Otters. CSUMB added its ninth run in the bottom of the eighth inning off an RBI double from Kyle Guerra. 
  
Novitske went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Friday evening, and currently is hitting .324 on the season. 
 
Also hitting 2-for-4 on Friday for CSUEB was Jacob Klinovsky. 
 
The Pioneers (7-4, 0-1 CCAA) will look to bounce back strong against the Otters (6-4, 1-0 CCAA) on Saturday when both teams meet for a conference doubleheader at Otter Sports Complex. Game one is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start, followed by game two at 5 p.m.