In a significant upset during the CCAA Tournament, Cal State San Marcos baseball team (33-16) eliminated the top-seeded No. 11 Cal State Monterey Bay (36-16) with an 8-4 victory. The Cougars marked their first postseason win as an NCAA Division II program by overcoming an early 3-0 deficit, fueled by a grand slam from Zech Samayoa and strong relief pitching by Ben Pernetti, who tallied three strikeouts in three innings. The win halted the Otters' run of three consecutive CCAA Tournament titles.

By the Numbers
  • Zech Samayoa: 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 R, 20th home run of the season.
  • Ben Pernetti: 3.0 IP, 3 K, 2 H, leading to a save.
  • CSUSM's first postseason win as an NCAA Division II program.
Yes, But

Despite the victory, the Cougars' win came after struggling through the tournament, highlighting questions about their consistency against top-ranked opponents. Their success was built on capitalizing on the Otters' pitching weaknesses.

State of Play
  • CSUSM has won 10 of their last 13 meetings against CSUMB.
  • The Cougars face another elimination game against Cal Poly Pomona or Cal State San Bernardino tonight.
What's Next

Looking ahead, the Cougars aim to build on this victory as they prepare for another critical matchup. A win could propel them further in the tournament and bolster their confidence against highly ranked teams.

Bottom Line

The Cougars' victory represents a crucial turning point, signaling their potential in postseason play and demonstrating their capability to compete against top-tier teams under pressure.