SEASIDE, Calif. --- The Western Oregon baseball team was within striking distance of knocking off No. 9 Cal State Monterey Bay, but a three-run eighth by the Otters helped them pull away for a 6-2 win over the Wolves on Friday at Otter Sports Complex.

The Wolves (9-13) fell behind early 3-0 after a three-run second by CSUMB (18-5) - but answered in the fourth when Alex Harden scored on an Otter error after a hit from Tyler Mohler followed by a Finn O'Connor RBI single to score Mohler and make it 3-2.

The score remained that way until a three-run homer in the eighth by the Otters gave them breathing room for the 6-2 win. WOU had its chances before that, getting a runner to third with one out in the sixth and a runner to second with one out, but couldn't get the game-tying run across.

Chris Arce led WOU at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a walk - marking his eighth multi-hit game in his last 10 contests.

Ayden Holker picked up the loss for WOU, going six innings and giving up three runs on five hits with six strikeouts and five walks.

The teams play a doubleheader Saturday starting at noon.