ROHNERT PARK -- Matthew Richards and Daniel Caresio recorded base hits in the 2016 season opener, but the Sonoma State baseball team suffered a 1-0 loss to visiting Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday at Seawolf Diamond. 

Game two of the scheduled doubleheader between the two teams was suspended after five complete innings due to darkness with the game tied at 3-3.  The second game of Saturday's twinbill will resume at 10:00 am Sunday at Seawolf Diamond, with the third and final game of the three-game series following 30 minutes after the final out of game two.

Game 1:  Cal State San Bernardino 1, Sonoma State 0 -- Box Score

Coyotes starting pitcher Tyler Wells dominated the Seawolf lineup in his six innings of work, striking out 12 of the 20 batters he faced, walking one and allowing just two hits.  He was tagged with a no-decision, however, as neither team was able to put a run on the scoreboard until Cal State San Bernardino broke through on an RBI single by Jake Caron in the top of the eighth.

That would prove to be the winning run of the game, as CSUSB relief pitchers, Joshua Murtha and William Ouellette worked three perfect innings to earn the win and save, respectively.

Ryan Luna got the start for Sonoma State, going four innings and allowing a hit and two walks while fanning five.  Ricky Clark also went four frames, giving up the go-ahead base hit in the eighth, the only mistake by any of the six pitchers from both teams in the nine-inning affair.  Clark gave up just two hits, striking out six before Cody Bennett was perfect in the ninth inning.

Game 2 (Suspended After 5 Innings):  Sonoma State 3, Cal State San Bernardino 3 -- Live Stats

After a pitcher's duel in game one, both teams brought the offense in game two.  In the top of the first, the Coyotes scored a pair of runs by virtue of a defensive error on a run down between second and third, allowing CSUSB to take a 1-0 lead.  Caron then brought home a second run off of SSU starter Haydon Turpin, though both of which were unearned.

The Seawolves responded almost immediately with a two-run home run off the bat of Cody Morris, an opposite-field shot that snuck just between the top of the fence and the left field foul pole.

An inning later, Sterling Champagne made his Sonoma State debut with an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Ryan O'Malley for the 3-2 lead.

With darkness looming in the top of the fifth inning, the Seawolves were just one out away from a potential victory, but Grant Buchanan lined a double down the left field line, scoring Dillon Fahr to knot the contest at 3-3.  In the bottom of the fifth, Matthew Richards got aboard with his third hit of the game and later stole second, putting himself in scoring position with just one out.  However, CSUSB's Noah Simon got out of the inning unscathed, and before the top of the sixth inning could begin, both coaches met at home plate to agree upon a suspension of play until Sunday at 10:00 am.