HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay dropped its CCAA matchup to Cal State LA, 15-5, on Thursday afternoon at Pioneer Field.

The Pioneers struck first in the opening inning when Gio Martini connected on a solo home run to give East Bay an early 1-0 lead.

East Bay added to its advantage in the third. Micah Cervantes reached base and moved into scoring position before Dominick Najar singled. Cervantes later scored on a sacrifice fly from Alijah Ramos to make it 2-0.

Cal State LA answered in the fourth with a solo home run, but the Pioneers responded in the bottom half. Cervantes delivered an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-1.

The momentum shifted in the sixth inning as the Golden Eagles broke through with a six-run frame, highlighted by a grand slam that pushed Cal State LA in front 7-3.

Cal State LA continued to add on, scoring twice in the seventh and erupting for six more runs in the eighth to extend the lead.

East Bay threatened late in the ninth. William James doubled and came around to score, and Alex Merchant drove in a run on a ground out before Caleb Chance drew a bases-loaded walk to account for the final runs.

Najar led the offense with two hits, while Martini provided the early spark with his home run. Chance recorded an RBI as East Bay totaled eight hits in the contest.

On the mound, Jackson Juric took the loss after allowing four runs over 5.1 innings. Alexander Hocking and David Howard combined in relief before Zach Orozco worked the eighth.

Cal State East Bay continues its CCAA series Friday with a doubleheader against Cal State LA at Pioneer Field.