SAN BERNARDINO (Feb. 19, 2015) -- Cal State San Bernardino forced a key play in the eighth inning of its game against visiting Cal Poly Pomona and it paid off in aces.

Pinch-hitter Dillon Fahr's bunt single induced an error that brought home Aaron Owen and the Coyotes held on for a 4-3 win over the Broncos in the teams' CCAA opener Thursday night at Fiscalini Field.

The Coyotes (3-7, 1-0 CCAA) and Broncos (5-2, 0-1) return to Fiscalini Field on Friday night at 6 p.m.

Owen opened the eighth with a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Fahr, who pinch-hit for Bryce Harrison, put down a well-placed bunt that was fielded by CPP pitcher Austin Boyle. Fahr earned the hit, but the throw from Boyle was high and that brought in Owen for the go-ahead run.

The game featured timely hitting and a combined 27 strikeouts from the teams, but the Coyotes made the most of their break for the victory.

CSUSB trailed 1-0 entering the second and grabbed the lead with a two-run, four-hit inning. Andrew Lopez connected on a two-out single to left that brought in Warren Fishback, who walked on four pitches. One batter later, Kevin Meriwether singled to center that scored Bryce Harrison, who singled up the middle.

The Broncos then tied the game at 2-2 on Kyle Garlick's blast over the left-field wall. It was his fourth home run this season.

The game remained tied until CPP scored on Ryan Webberly's sacrifice fly to left that scored Michael Erb, who was hit by a pitch.

CSUSB tied the game at 3-3 on pinch-hitter Jose Hernandez's smash up the middle that scored Grant Buchanan, who singled to left.

Coyotes RHP Tyler Sloan was solid in his 6 1/3 innings. He had 10 strikeouts with four walks and allowed just four hits. Reliever Ruben Rios (2-1) threw 1 2/3 innings and earned the win. He had one strikeout. Closer Matt LeVert faced five batters in the ninth and earned his second save. He struck out two.

Broncos starter Max Bethell had five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Reliever Ryan Alsworth was strong in his 2 1/3 innings with five strikeouts and just two walks.

Damion Edmonds and Harrison each had two hits.

CPP's Garlick and Michael Zidek each had two hits.