Cougars Secure Series Opener Against Seawolves, 6-1

SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos baseball team (13-22, 9-16 CCAA) opened its series against Sonoma State (13-21, 10-15 CCAA) with a 6-1 victory on Thursday afternoon at CSUSM Baseball Field.

TOP PERFORMERS
Luke Reece – 3-for-4 | 1 R | 1 BB | 1 SB
Niko Diaz – 2-for-4 | 2 RBI
Ethan Rivera – 2-for-5 | 1 RBI
Mark Stanford – 1-for-2 | 2 BB | 1 R | 1 HBP
Jacob Casson – 7.0 IP | 9 K | 2 H | 2 BB

HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUSM took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Kevin Van Linge scored from third on a throwing error while Reece scored from third on a 6-4-3 double play.
After Stanford walked and advanced to third on two wild pitches, Diaz brought him home with a bunt single to third and gave the Cougars a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second.
In the bottom of the fourth, CSUSM went up 4-0 on an RBI single to right by Pat MacDonald Jr. that scored Van Linge.
The Cougars went up 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning as Griffin Teisher scored on an RBI single through the left side by Diaz.
An RBI groundout by Rivera scored Van Linge to give CSUSM a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth.
Sonoma scored its lone run in the top of the ninth inning as Christopher Wright sent an RBI double down the right field line with two outs. A fly out to right immediately after gave CSUSM the win.

QUICK HITS
CSUSM starter Jacob Casson (2-1) put up a dominant nine-strikeout performance as he allowed just two hits and two walks in seven innings.
SSU starter Tanner Kane (0-1) left the game after just one inning as he allowed three runs (two earned) on no hits, two walks, two wild pitches and one hit-by-pitch.
Reece tallied his team-leading 16th multi-hit game and eighth game with three hits while Rivera earned his 15th multi-hit game.
Reece now has a nine-game hitting streak ­- the longest active streak on the team.
Reece also raised his CCAA-leading batting average to .444.
The Cougars’ pitching staff tallied 13 strikeouts ­- tying for the third most in a game this season.
Head Coach Matt Guiliano discusses the Cougars’ great start in the series opener against Sonoma State. #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/2IWrzMCB6r

– CSUSM Baseball (@CSUSMBaseball) April 15, 2022

UP NEXT
CSUSM and Sonoma State will continue the series with a doubleheader beginning at noon.