HAYWARD, Calif. – Despite a ninth inning home run from Bryce Nagata that pulled the Seawolves within one run of the Pioneers, Cal State East Bay eked out a 2-1 victory on the back of a combined three-hitter Friday afternoon.
 
Allowing just one hit through two innings of work, Nick Risucci kicked off a Pioneer gem that reliever Alex Vesia continued on through the remaining seven innings. Sonoma State was held to just one run on three hits and three walks, with the lone Seawolf run coming on the Nagata homer.
 
SSU starter Michael Warning matched Risucci and Vesia batter for batter through his five innings of work and didn't allow a single run in his performance. Warning gave up just four hits and two walks while striking out four on the day.
 
East Bay struck in the middle innings, tacking a run to the board in both the sixth and seventh. Relief pitcher, Tyson Canfield induced a groundout to turn two to begin the sixth before the Pioneers put together three straight two-out singles. The third of those hits came with runners at the corners, as Jacob Eder singled through the left side, giving East Bay the 1-0 lead. They then doubled their margin in the seventh as a trio of singles led off the frame. Adam Hollar pushed one through the left side bringing home Evan Steele on the play.
 
The Seawolves finally broke through in the ninth on Bryce Nagata's team-leading eighth home run of the year pulling within one run of their opponent. Rayson Romero and Joshua Lenney eventually walked their way aboard, pushing the tying run into scoring position with only one away. Joshua Montelongo and Mitch West however, were unable to connect for a game-tying base hit as they flew out and grounded out, respectively, to end the game.
 
With the loss, the Seawolves fall to 23-20 and 19-18 in CCAA play. They return to Hayward tomorrow for the double dip of the series, with first pitch set for 12 pm.