SEASIDE, Calif. — Senior first baseman
Hayden Duer's (Davis HS) monster game—including two doubles, a homer and seven RBI—was more than enough to lead Cal State Monterey Bay to a convincing 13–3 win over Great Northwest Conference contender Western Oregon University Friday in CSUMB's home opener at the Otter Sports Complex.
Duer started his onslaught early with a bases–clearing double in the first inning for his first three RBI. He crushed a 2–run homer to center field in the third inning and added another 2–run double off the wall in center to complete his big day.
The Otters' also got a 2–run shot from
Jordan Esposo (Monterey HS/MPC) and doubles from
TJ Dove (River Valley HS/Yuba CC) and
Jacob Tonascia (San Benito HS/Mission College) as part of their 12–hit attack.
The offensive barrage and near flawless defense made for smooth sailing for the Otter pitching staff.
Gabe Katich (Mount Pleasant HS/Gavilan College) made one mistake in an otherwise strong five innings. Katich fanned four and walked one while improving to 2–0.
Greg Steinbeck (San Benito HS) was impressive in three innings of 2–hit, shutout relief.
Brandon Granger (San Benito HS/Hartnell College) fanned two and walked one in a scoreless ninth inning.
THE GAME WAS OVER WHEN… Jacob Tonascia's RBI single plated
Max Sanderson to make it 10–3 Otter in the fourth. Western Oregon managed just three hits over the final five innings.
FOR (HOME) OPENERS… CSUMB improved to 8–5 all–time in home openers dating to its inaugural season of 2006. Under Head Coach
Walt White, the Otters are 7–1 in home openers
ONE RIBEYE SHORT OF A BARBECUE… Hayden Duer's seven RBI Friday were a personal best, but one short of the CSUMB school record of eight set by
Kevin Davidson against Cal Poly Pomona on Apr. 3, 2016..
WELCOME TO THE CLUB… Brandon Granger made his first NCAA appearance a memorable one. The brother of former Otter starter
Bryan Granger overcame a walk to his first batter with a pair of strikeout and a weak ground out.
LEADERS OF THE RAFT… Hayden Duer (3x4, 2 2B, HR (1), 2 R, 7 RBI);
Jordan Esposo (2x4, HR (1), R, 2 RBI);
Jacob Tonascia (3x5, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI);
TJ Dove (2x4, 2B, R);
Gabe Katich (SP, W (2–0), 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 K, 1 BB);
Greg Steinbeck (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB)..
THE LAST WORD… "Western Oregon is a good team that didn't play its best today. We were able to take advantage of the walks we earned by getting some timely hits to clear the bases. Duer had a big day at the plate and he benefited from guys getting on in front of him. We love scoring in bunches, but the biggest take away from this game is a clean game defensively." —
CSUMB Head Coach Walt White
THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters conclude their 3–game set with Western Oregon by hosting a doubleheader Saturday at 11 a.m..
GO OTTERS!
