Box Score

SAN BERNARDINO — Just because Cal State San Bernardino has already clinched a spot in the CCAA Tournament doesn't mean that games don't matter. The Coyotes are still fighting for seeding and took a deep breath of relief after Leland Sisco launched a pinch-hit, walk-off home run to knock off Cal State East Bay 11-10.

The Coyotes (26-13, 25-12 CCAA) nearly led for the entire ball game and held a 9-6 lead heading into the top of the ninth. That's when it started getting a little intense.

The Pioneers took the lead in the top of the ninth for the first time since 1-0 in the first. After three straight singles that loaded the bases to start the inning, Nick McManus hit his fifth home run of the year with a grand slam that bounced off the left field railing and ricocheted off the left field foul poll to put the CSUEB up 10-9. Andrew Schile, who came into the game with save opportunity, was looking at a loss, but got a little help from the opposing staff and Sisco.

Paul Jenkins took the hill for the Pioneers (18-27-1, 11-22 CCAA) for the final inning and quickly retired the first two batters. Jenkins then hit James Kono before Sisco stepped to the plate and delivered a bomb to left center field to put the game on ice.

Cal State East Bay took the first lead of the game in the top of the first with a pair of doubles, but the Coyotes answered with a pair of solo home runs to take a 2-1 advantage. Erik Ornelas hit his fifth of the year in the first before Ryan Hulbert hit his fifth of the year in the bottom of the second. The Coyotes went up 3-1 in the third on a ground out by Ethan Chapman that scored Robert Archuleta. 

The Pioneers got a run back in the top of the fourth to make it 3-2 on sac fly, but CSUSB hung two more runs in the bottom of the fourth when Brent Planck singled through the left side to give the Coyotes a 5-2 lead.

East Bay added another in the top of the fifth, but CSUSB matched it with a Hulbert single to right that scored Cody Madison from third to put the Coyotes up 6-3.The Pioneers tied the game at 6-6 with a run in the sixth and two-run home run by Levi Josewski in the seventh.

CSUSB took advantage of a Pioneer error in the bottom of the seventh to go up 7-6 before Ornelas doubled to left in the eighth to push two more across for the Coyotes for the 9-6 lead.

Then came the ninth-inning fireworks.

Schile (1-2) picked up the win thanks to Sisco. Aaron Brooks tossed the first seven innings, allowing six runs on 11 hits in the no decision.

Ornelas led the way for the Coyotes, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Hulbert went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and run scored.

The two teams will play again tomorrow in a noon doubleheader tomorrow before concluding the series Sunday at 11 a.m. for senior day.