SEASIDE, Calif. — With precious Battle of the Bays points at stake, Cal State Monterey Bay took advantage of virtually every opportunity it got Friday afternoon, putting four crooked numbers on the board to cruise past Cal State East Bay 14–3 at the Otter Sports Complex.

The series–opening win not only lifted CSUMB back over .500 (12–11, 10–7 CCAA), it gave the Otters the first of four possible points in the Battle of the Bays competition, trimming East Bay's overall lead to 21–14. Thee more points are on the line in the final three games of the series.
Junior Greg Steinbeck (San Benito HS) improved to 3–0, although he danced around trouble all afternoon. He allowed just one run, but he also yielded 10 hits.

A huge part of his success came from the ability of freshman catcher Robert "Bo" Boisvert (Highland/East Valley HS) to control the East Bay running game. Making his first collegiate appearance, Boisvert gunned down to runners attempting to steal to thwart a pair of potential Pioneer rallies. Steinbeck helped his own cause in that area by picking off a runner.

The Otter offense broke through by taking advantage of a key East Bay error to put a five spot on the board in the fourth inning. A 2–run homer by Brian Morley (Carmichael/Jesuit HS) highlighted a 3–run fifth that sent the Otters to the races.
 

---

THE GAME WAS OVER WHEN OVER WHEN… After East Bay pulled to within five runs in the top of the seventh, TJ Dove's RBI single put the cap on a 4–run Otter seventh, extending the CSUMB lead to 12–3.

YOU GET ONE CHANCE AT A FIRST IMPRESSION… Bo Boisvert isn't likely to forget his first collegiate game anytime soon. Not only did he throw out two would–be base stealers, he went 2–for–3 at the plate with a sacrifice, drove in two runs and scored another.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB… Bo Boisvert wasn't the only Otter to make a notable first impression Friday. Derrick Edwards made his first start at third base and collected his first Otter hit, run and RBI. Dominic Burke came in to deliver a pinch hit single for his first Otter hit as well.

THREE QUARTERS OF A CYCLE… Reed Oster was a home run away from a natural cycle Friday afternoon. He singled in his first at bat, doubled in his second and tripled in his third. Alas, he drew a 4–pitch walk in his final plate appearance.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… Greg Steinbeck (W [3–0], 1 R, 10 H, 3 K, BB); Brian Morley (2x5, HR [3], 2 R, 2 RBI); Reed Oster (3x3, 2B, 3B, 3 R, RBI); Bo Boisvert (2x3, SAC, R, 2 RBI); TJ Dove (2x4, 2 R, RBI); Kyle Czaplak (2x6, @, RBI).

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters and Pioneers head to Hayward for games two and three of the series with a doubleheader starting Saturday at noon.