HAYWARD, Calif. – Western Oregon baseball gained two wins in their double header at Cal State East Bay on Saturday.
 
After dropping to the Pioneers, 3-2, in Friday's opener of the four-game series, Western Oregon responded with an overall winning day. The Wolves improved to 5-3 overall, while also handing the Pioneers (4-2) their first two losses of the season.
 
GAME #1 – WESTERN OREGON 8, EAST BAY 1                 
In the first game, Western Oregon and East Bay each scored a run in the first inning, but after five scoreless innings, the Wolves went on two three-run rallies with one in the seventh and another in the eighth. Western Oregon would score one last run in the ninth for the 8-1 win.
 
Seniors Kyle Vanderkin and Nathan Etheridge led the Wolves with two runs each, while senior Cody Sullivan, junior Brock Pradere, and redshirt juniors Erik Long and Joey Crunkilton each added one run. Of Western Oregon's nine hits, Redshirt senior Marcus Madden, Etheridge, and Long each tallied two hits, while senior Trevor Podratz, Pradere, and Sullivan each had one hit.
 
Right-handed senior Garrett Alvarez stood on the mound for the full nine innings, allowing five hits and striking out six batters. Alvarez is now 2-0 in the season after the victory.
 
The Wolves started off the game with a run from Long in the top of the first. Long first singled to left field and advanced to second after Pradere grounded out. Podratz's single allowed Long to make the run home.
 
In the bottom of the first, the Pioneers returned a run of their own. Junior Kris Bartlett made his round through the bases by first singling to left field, advancing to second on a passed ball, moving to third on a wild pitch, and finally scoring after senior Rudy Navarro's single.
 
After the first inning, the score remained tied until the seventh when Western Oregon brought in three runs. Crunkilton first got on base with a walk, and Vanderkin followed as he was hit by the pitch. Etheridge then blasted the ball down the right field line for a triple, while Vanderkin and Crunkilton scored two runs. Madden continued the rally as he doubled to right center, allowing Etheridge to score, increasing the Wolves' lead to 4-1.
 
The Wolves went on a similar three-run rally again in the eighth inning. It all started when Sullivan was hit by the pitch and Vanderkin drew a walk. Both Sullivan and Vanderkin scored after Etheridge doubled to left center field. Madden then drove the ball to left center for a single, and Etheridge was able to score.
 
Western Oregon finished off the game with one final run from Pradere in the ninth inning. Pradere first singled up the middle, and after a walk for Crunkilton and Sullivan's single, Pradere sealed the game as he ran home.  
 
GAME #2 –WESTERN OREGON 5, EAST BAY 2
In the second contest of the day against the Pioneers, the Wolves worked with a 2-1 deficit after the first inning. It wasn't until the sixth inning when Western Oregon had an offensive spark and scored three runs. The Wolves scored one more run in the seventh to secure the victory.
 
Redshirt freshman Justin Wakem, redshirt sophomore Jay Leverett, Pradere, Crunkilton, and Sullivan each added a run for the Wolves. Podratz hit the ball twice, and Pradere, Crunkilton, Sullivan, Vanderkin, and Wakem each had one hit.
 
Senior Darrien Moran (1-1) earned his first win of the season after pitching six innings. Moran allowed all six of East Bay's hits and both of their runs, but he also struck out two batters. Junior Elias Bedolla stepped in for the final inning and earned the save after striking out one.
 
Pradere scored first for the Wolves after he earned a double and Podratz singled through the right field. The Pioneers tied and took the lead in the bottom of the first with two runs from juniors Michael Thomas and Marcus Wise. Both Thomas and Wise singled up the middle, and Navarro's double brought Thomas home. Although freshman Joey Dice grounded out, Wise was able to score as well.
 
The Wolves turned the game around in the sixth inning with a three-run homerun from Sullivan as he brought Podratz and Crunkilton home. Podratz and Crunkilton had both drawn walks, and Leverett then stepped in for Podratz as a pinch runner.
 
Western Oregon locked in their win as Wakem sent a homer to left field.
 
The Wolves will conclude the four-game series against East Bay on Sunday, February 14 with the first pitch set for 11 a.m.