ROHNERT PARK, Calif-  Round one goes to the Seawolves.  Bryan Oland pitched a complete game and Eli Rimes blasted a grand slam to lead No. 4 Sonoma State to a 6-2 win over No. 1 Cal State L.A. in the first game of a four-game CCAA series Friday afternoon in Rohnert Park.  The win lifts the Seawolves to 42-7, 25-4 CCAA while the Golden Eagles drop to 36-8-1, 24-5 CCAA.

The series holds countless conference, regional, and national implications.  Cal State L.A. is ranked first in the nation and first in the NCAA West Region poll.  Sonoma State moved up to 4th in the nation in this week's poll and they hold the No. 2 spot in the regional rankings.  Both teams have already clinched a spot in the CCAA Tournament, to be played May 10-12 in Los Angeles.

Cal State L.A. got on the board first when, in the third inning, Felipe Gallo singled, then came around to score on an RBI by the conference's leading hitter, Jeff Carroll.  Golden Eagle starter Isaac Morales (L, 9-1) was rolling through the first three innings, allowing just one hit, before he ran into trouble.

In the fourth inning, SSU tied it up when Tyler Wightman drove home Nick Nosti with an RBI single.  SSU took a 2-1 lead in the fifth on an RBI ground out by leadoff hitter David Adler. 

The Seawolves blew things open in the sixth inning.  After a leadoff walk to B.J. Collom, Nick Nosti singled to right field to give SSU runners on first and second with nobody out.  A Tyrese McDaniel sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to Chase McGuire set the scene for first baseman Eli Rimes.  Digging himself into a quick 0-2 count, Rimes knocked a grand slam to right center field to put SSU up 6-1.  It was the 11th home run of the year for Rimes, tying him with McGuire for the team lead.

That would be all the offense SSU would need in support of Bryan Oland.  Oland gave up a season-high 11 hits, but worked himself out of jams with nine strikeouts.  The right hander didn't allow a walk and went the distance for his ninth win of the season. 

Rimes led the Seawolves with three hits and four RBIs.  Tyler Wightman had two hits and B.J. Collom went 1-for-2 with a couple of walks, raising his average to .416.

Carroll, Brian Hernandez, Matt Winkelman, and Felipe Gallo each had two hits for the Golden Eagles.

The series continues tomorrow with a doubleheader at 11:00 am.

Box Score