Written by Matt Rawlings, Sports Information Intern

SEASIDE, Calif. – Led by a combined 3-for-7 performance at the plate by senior Matt Taylor, Western Oregon University's baseball team was able to split the doubleheader against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday afternoon, winning Game #1 by a score of 7-6 before dropping Game #2 by a score of 4-2.

Senior Marcus Hinkle also had a solid day at the plate going a combined 3-for-8 in the two games. Western Oregon was also led by senior Garret Harpole who went a combined 2-for-6 at the plate with two runs scored in the doubleheader. Taylor led the team with three total RBI in the doubleheader.

Senior pitcher Jessie Pratt, who got the start in Game #1, earned his first win of the season, going 6.0 innings and giving up six hits and two earned runs, as well as striking out eight. Junior Shawn Domke, was able to get the one-out save in Game #1 after coming in with two outs in the bottom of the 9^th with runners on first and second. Junior Houston Samuel got the start on the bump in Game #2, going 4.0 innings and giving up four hits and two earned runs in the loss.

GAME #1 — WESTERN OREGON 7, CAL STATE MONTEREY BAY 5

After both teams were held scoreless for the first four innings, the Wolves struck for five runs in the top of the 5^th inning. With the bases loaded and nobody out, junior Brandon Oliver singled up the middle, scoring senior Michael Sherwin. After an RBI walk by senior Tim Rausch, Taylor cleared the bases with a three-run double, making the score 5-0. CSUMB struck back for two runs in the bottom of the 6^th, cutting the Wolves lead to three runs.

The Wolves got a run back in the top of the 8^th when senior Austin Hamilton scored on a wild pitch, but CSUMB came back for two runs in the bottom of the 8^th, making the score 6-4 in favor of the Wolves.

The Wolves got another crucial insurance run in the top of the 9^th when Harpole hit a monster solo home run over the left center field wall. CSUMB rallied for two runs in the bottom of the 9^th, but Domke came in to the game and forced Kevin Davidson to ground into a fielder's choice, which secured the victory for the Wolves.

GAME #2 — CAL STATE MONTEREY BAY 4, WESTERN OREGON 2

CSUMB struck first in the second game of the doubleheader, pushing across their first run in the bottom of the 3^rd inning. The Wolves threatened in the top of the 3^rd, with runners on first and third, but they were unable to take advantage.

CSUMB was able to apiece in the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th innings, giving them a 4-0 lead going into the last chance 7^th inning for the Wolves. But the Wolves were able to spark a rally in the 7^th. With the bases loaded with one out, Rausch was able to reach on a fielder's choice to score Sherwin. Hinkle was then able to single past the shortstop to score junior Cody Sullivan and keep the Wolves comeback alive. But the rally fell short after Hamilton flew out to right field to end the game.

Western Oregon plays the final game of the series against Cal State Monterey Bay tomorrow – Sunday, February 15 – beginning at 11 a.m. at the Otter Sports Complex in Seaside, California.