TURLOCK, Calif. — No. 7 Cal State East Bay split Friday's doubleheader at Stan State, earning an 8-3 win in the opener before securing a 3-2 victory in game two to close the series.
In the first game, the Pioneers used a big middle-inning surge to pull away.
After scoring single runs in the second, third and fourth innings, East Bay broke the game open in the fifth with a five-run frame. Sarissa Block sparked the rally with an RBI single, and Jeslyn Cuellar followed with a two-run double. Rylee Gomez added a sacrifice fly, and Jasmyn Morales capped the inning with an RBI single to extend the lead to 8-2.
Stan State answered with runs in the fourth and sixth innings, but Ally Fuentes remained steady in the circle, going the distance and allowing three runs on six hits while striking out four.
Block finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Cuellar drove in two runs. Morales and Gomez also contributed RBIs as East Bay totaled 13 hits.
The second game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams held scoreless into the later innings.
East Bay broke through in the sixth when Isabel Mercado delivered an RBI double to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead.
Stan State responded in the bottom half, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to plate two unearned runs and take a 2-1 advantage.
The Pioneers answered in the seventh. Sarissa Block doubled to start the rally, and Jeslyn Cuellar followed with an RBI single. Rylee Gomez then delivered a run-scoring hit to give East Bay a 3-2 lead.
Marissa Quintero went the distance in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing two runs (none earned) on four hits.
Carrillo led the offense in the nightcap with three hits, while East Bay finished with 10.
Cal State East Bay continues CCAA play next week at home against Cal State San Marcos.
