HAYWARD, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay Pioneers baseball team split a non-conferencedoubleheader against Simpson (Calif.) on Saturday at Pioneer Baseball Field. The day featured a high-scoring affair followed by a pitching duel, providing fans with a full spectrum of baseball excitement. The Pioneers lost game one, 11-10, but in seven-inning game two, the Pioneers won 3-2 to close out the series.
Game One: Simpson (Calif.) 11, Cal State East Bay 10
In a game that lasted 3 hours and 29 minutes, the Pioneers fell just short in a back-and-forth battle against the Red Hawks. The contest was marked by offensive outbursts and dramatic momentum shifts.
Cal State East Bay jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second inning, courtesy of an RBI single from Danelle Daniels and a two-run double by Luke Brown. However, the tide turned dramatically in the third inning when Simpson exploded for seven runs, capitalizing on bases-loaded walks and timely hitting.
Undeterred, the Pioneers mounted a comeback. Aidan Morton's solo home run in the fifth inning sparked a rally, followed by a two-RBI single from Daniels that brought East Bay within one run. The Red Hawks extended their lead to 11-7 in the eighth, but the Pioneers refused to go quietly.
In a thrilling eighth inning, Carson Cripe delivered a clutch pinch-hit single that drove in two runs. Dominick Najar then drew a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, bringing the Pioneers within a single run at 11-10.
Despite a valiant effort in the ninth, putting two runners on base with two outs, East Bay couldn't complete the comeback.
Game Two: Cal State East Bay 3, Simpson (Calif.) 2
The Pioneers bounced back in the seven-inning nightcap, securing a 3-2 victory behind a stellar complete-game performance from Max Gonzales.
East Bay wasted no time, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single from Luke Brown. Aidan Morton, continuing his hot streak, launched his second home run of the day in the second inning, extending the lead to 2-0.
Simpson managed to tie the game in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a fielder's choice and a throwing error. However, the Pioneers immediately responded in the bottom half of the frame. With Gio Martini on third base, pinch-hitter Alex Merchant came through with a clutch RBI single, giving East Bay the decisive 3-2 lead.
Gonzales, who improved to 1-1 on the season, shut the door in the seventh, completing his impressive outing with six strikeouts while allowing just four hits over seven innings.
- Aidan Morton homered in both games, going 3-for-3 in the second game. He now has four career home runs at East Bay.
- Danelle Daniels: Went 3-for-6 with three RBIs in game one.
- Luke Brown: Finished the day 3-for-7 with four RBIs across both games.
- Robert Ellwanger scored three runs in the opening game.
- Max Gonzales pitched a complete game in game two, striking out six over seven innings.
Cal State East Bay: 6-8
Simpson (Calif.): 6-19
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
Cal State East Bay will host (RV) Cal State Monterey Bay in the series opener of a four-game CCAA series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, March 7, at Pioneer Baseball Field in Hayward, California.
