SEASIDE, Calif. — No. 4 Cal State East Bay split its Friday doubleheader against No. 20 Cal State Monterey Bay at the Otter Sports Complex, earning a 6-1 victory in the opener before falling 6-5 in the nightcap.
In game one, the Pioneers controlled the pace early behind a strong performance in the circle from Marissa Quintero.
After a scoreless opening inning, East Bay broke through in the second. Cynthia Carrillo worked a walk before Marissa Farias singled to put two on. Jennavee Campos followed with a two-run double to left center, and Sarissa Block added an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0.
Monterey Bay got on the board in the third with a solo home run, but East Bay responded in the fourth. Farias opened the inning with a solo shot to right field, and Campos and Block each delivered doubles to set up a two-run single from Jeslyn Cuellar, pushing the advantage to 6-1.
Quintero handled the rest, allowing just five hits and one run over seven innings while striking out four to improve to 16-0 on the season.
Campos led the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Farias added two hits, including a home run, and Block contributed two hits and an RBI as East Bay finished with 11 hits.
The second game featured a back-and-forth battle.
East Bay struck first in the opening inning when Cynthia Carrillo doubled to center and later scored on a base hit from Jasmyn Morales.
The Pioneers added to the lead in the third on a solo home run from Morales and again in the fourth when Jeslyn Cuellar connected for a solo shot to make it 3-1.
Monterey Bay responded in the middle innings, tying the game in the fourth before taking a 5-4 lead in the fifth behind a triple and sacrifice fly.
East Bay answered in the sixth. Rylee Gomez singled and advanced before the Pioneers loaded the bases. Marissa Farias drew a walk to bring home the tying run and even the score at 5-5.
In the bottom of the seventh, Monterey Bay delivered the decisive run on an RBI groundout to secure the 6-5 win.
Carrillo paced the offense in game two with three hits and two RBIs, while Morales added two hits, including a home run.
Cal State East Bay continues its CCAA schedule this weekend.