HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay dropped its non-conference matchup with Jessup on Friday afternoon at Pioneer Field, falling 19-9 in a game that featured late offense from the Pioneers.

East Bay opened the scoring in the first inning when Marc DiCarlo Jr. lined an RBI single down the third-base line to bring home Logan Stelling and give the Pioneers a 1-0 advantage.

Jessup responded in the second with a two-run home run to take a 2-1 lead, but East Bay answered in the bottom half. Alex Merchant doubled to left center and later scored on a throwing error by the Warriors to even the score at 2-2.

The momentum shifted sharply in the third inning as Jessup erupted for 10 runs on eight hits to build a 12-2 lead. The rally included a two-run homer and several RBI singles that allowed the Warriors to seize control of the contest.

Jessup added another run in the fourth on a solo home run and continued to extend its advantage with additional runs in the fifth and eighth innings.

East Bay chipped away in the fifth when Dominick Najar doubled down the left-field line and later scored on a stolen-base sequence and defensive miscue to make it 14-3.

The Pioneers produced their largest push in the ninth inning. Micah Cervantes started the rally with a single before the Pioneers loaded the bases. Gio Martini delivered an RBI single, Caleb Chance followed with another run-scoring hit, and Merchant added an RBI single during a five-run frame that trimmed the final margin to 19-9.

East Bay collected 10 hits in the contest. Merchant led the offense with two hits and two RBIs, while Alijah Ramos recorded two hits and scored twice. Najar added a double and a run scored, while DiCarlo Jr. and Cervantes each contributed hits in the effort.

AJ Gamboa took the loss for the Pioneers after allowing eight runs in 2.1 innings of work. East Bay used seven pitchers over the course of the game as Jessup totaled 19 hits.

Cal State East Bay continues the series Saturday with a doubleheader at Jessup.