Otters Best Yellowjackets, 7-5

Box Score

SEASIDE, Calif. – In a rain-shortened series, the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters used a four run first inning in a 7-5 victory over visiting Montana State Billings Wednesday afternoon.  With the loss, the Yellowjackets fell to 1-8 on the year, while CSUMB improved to 3-15.

CSUMB came out of the gates on fire as it scored four runs on five hits in the first inning off Yellowjacket hurler Tyler Gilder (0-1).  Gilder went three innings allowing six hits, five runs – four earned, one walk and one strikeout.

A lead-off single, followed by a stolen base and a wild pitch aided in the first run on a RBI single.  The Jackets got second out of the inning on a fly out to center, but a two RBI double and a RBI single plated three more runs for a 4-0 lead.

The Otters added a run in the second courtesy of one of four Yellowjacket miscues for a 5-0 lead.

The Jackets began the comeback in the third with a run as Chris Round opened the frame with a single up the middle.  After a walk and an error, Jonathon Crews scored the run on a groundout for a 5-1 score.  MSUB then made it 5-2 in the fourth with a pair of doubles from Jordan Kessler and Ty Sobieraj.  

CSUMB plated another run in the bottom of the inning courtesy of two Yellowjacket errors for a 6-2 lead.

MSUB scored two runs in the top of the sixth for a 6-4 score as Sam Kinzeler scored on a wild pitch and Sobieraj hit a RBI single.

The Otters had the answer with the eventual insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a lead-off home run for a 7-4 score.  The Jackets continued to fight hard as Kevin Zukaitis belted his team-best second home run of the season in the eighth for a 7-5 score.   

MSUB had one last chance in the ninth as Blake Nelson began the inning with a single, followed by a pair of fielder’s choice scoring decisions and a groundout to end the game.

For the game, MSUB had nine hits led by Zukaitis who was 2 for 2 with a run scored and an RBI.  Sobieraj was 2 for 4 with two RBI.  CSUMB tallied 12 hits.  Four MSUB errors led to two unearned runs, which proved to be the margin in the game.

The Yellowjackets originally were supposed to play a nine-inning game against Sonoma State following the CSUMB game, but due to heavy rains they only were able to play one game Wednesday.  MSUB now begins conference play Saturday at Saint Martin’s with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., followed by the concluding doubleheader Sunday at noon.