LOS ANGELES -- The Coyotes scored three times in the ninth and got the go-ahead run from
Ethan Chapman, then turned things over to closer
Josh Pond, who struck out all three batters he faced in the bottom of the ninth as CSUSB defeated Cal State L.A. 6-3 in the series opener Friday.
Lucas Sanford overcame a rocky second inning and went five solid innings for the Coyotes in his first start of the season. He gave up all three runs on four hits in the second inning, but kept the Golden Eagles off the scoreboard over his final three innings of work.
Josh Lee blanked Cal State L.A. on one hit over the next three innings to pick up the victory.
The Coyotes got on the board with an unearned run in the fifth.
Erik Ornelas reached on an error and scored on a two-out single by
Matt Haney.
The Coyotes tied the game in the sixth due in part to two more errors.
Mike Newell and
Matt Winn scored after the second baseman snared a line drive off
Virgil Chavira for the second out, but threw the ball away from the third baseman.
The Coyotes then got the game-winning runs in the ninth. Chavira doubled to center to start the inning and moved to third on a sacrifice by Ornelas. Chapman followed with a single to drive in Chavira. After a Golden Eagle pitching change, another run scored on an error and the final run was scored on a single by Newell.
