CSUEB Baseball takes three of four games

Senior+Zac+Chuvala+stares+down+the+Warriors+pitcher.

Photo | Jenise Kearney

Senior Zac Chuvala stares down the Warriors pitcher.

Christopher George,
Sports Editor

The California State University, East Bay baseball team took three out of four this weekend against Stanislaus State behind quality pitching to improve 12-8 and 6-6 in CCAA play for  the season.

“It was a big series that we needed to win,” said Sean Becker who has a 2.06 ERA and leads the CCAA in innings pitched. “We are going up against top three teams in the conference the next three weeks and needed to go into it with confidence.”

While the Pioneers have relied on their pitching all season, which has not let them down with a 3.02 staff ERA, they kicked off the series Friday with Stanislaus State Warriors on the road but they made sure to bring the offense with them.

Trailing 2-1 going into the sixth, the Pioneers broke out for 12 runs in the last three innings to break the game wide open and take the game 13 to 6. Junior Jason Fletcher finished with four RBIs.

On Saturday, the Pioneers began the first game of the doubleheader with the pitching once again being the highlight. Becker threw a gem as he pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts while only giving up one unearned run. With the help from Brandon Alexander’s and the Pioneers first homerun of the season and behind Becker’s brilliant pitching performance, The Pioneers took the second game of the series, 4-1.

“It was one of those rare days were everything was on point,” said Becker. “I went in to the game just wanting to focus on commanding the bottom of the zone. I felt strong going through the later innings and wanted to finish it myself to save our bullpen for Sunday cause I knew they would be needed.”

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Pioneers fell behind four to zero going into the fifth before squeaking out a run in the bottom of the inning. The Pioneers would fall 4 to 1, with their starter Ben O’Bryan only going 4.1 innings.

Going in to the final game of the series on Sunday, the Pioneers found their pitching guiding them once again.

Michael Pope only gave up four hits and two runs, one unearned, on his way to pitching eight innings but the Warriors pitcher was no slouch himself. Jeremy McDonald threw 8 innings but found himself on the losing side of things as the Pioneers were able to get two runs in the fifth which proved to be just enough as they took the game, two to one and the series.

“Our pitching kept us in every game,” said Becker. “Our hitters are getting more confidence and starting to heat up at the right time. We knew we should ‘ve took the series before hand and played to our expectations. We’ve been waiting to click on all cylinders and we did this weekend.”
While the Pioneers have their next eight games at home against the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos and then finishing the home stand with the UC San Diego Tritons, it will not be easy as the Broncos are leading the CCAA with the Tritons currently in second.
Last year’s team was a tough act to follow, as the 2013 Pioneers went 32-18 and 22-18 in CCAA play and tied a school record for wins. But Becker, who led the pitching staff that led that team, has a hard time comparing this year’s and last year’s teams.

“It’s tough to say because we have so many returners at the core of our team,” said Becker. “I think we have greater offensive ability than last year, and I believe people are going to start seeing that very soon. We need to finish out close ball games this year and last we have been involved in close 1 run ball games and we have lost them due to errors and free bases. If we can eliminate free bases we have a chance to beat anyone.”

Despite the record setting year the baseball team had in 2013, they ultimately fell two games short of a playoff spot and had to spend the off-season on the sideline. Something they do not want to repeat in 2014.

“Ever since the last out of last year we have had that lingering in the back of our minds. None of us returning this year want to be that close to not making the playoffs again,” said Becker. “Having that bitter taste in your mouth for an entire off-season is not fun.”

Marquis Jaramillo contributed to this article.