SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos baseball team (8-1) continued its program-best start with a 7-1 victory over Hawai'i Pacific (2-7) on Sunday at Dennis A. Pugh Field.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Rees Kent – 3-for-4 | 2 RBIs | 2 R
Jake Larson – 2-for-4 | 2 RBIs | 1 2B
Canon King – 1-for-4 | 2 RBIs | 1 R | 1 HR
Stephen Espinoza – 2-for-4 | 1 R | 1 2B
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Sharks got on the board first in the top of the third on an RBI double to left center by Tyler Arnold to go up 1-0.
• The Cougars responded in the bottom of the third with an RBI single to center by Jake Larson and an RBI sacrifice bunt by Leighton Helfrick to take a 2-1 lead.
• CSUSM added three runs in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run single to left by Rees Kent and an RBI double to left center by Larson to go up 5-1.
• In the bottom of the fifth, Canon King launched a two-out, two-run homer to right and put the Cougars up 7-1.

 
QUICK HITS

• Cougar reliever Dylan Schmitt (1-0) earned the win after striking out one and allowing nothing in one inning.
• Shark starter Gavin Pacheco (0-3) took the loss after giving up five earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three in 3.2 innings.
• After CSUSM starter PJ Wendler exited the game after 3.0 innings, the Cougar bullpen of Schmitt, Ben Pernetti, Jack Clark and Zach Romero allowed just three hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch while striking out five in 6.0 innings of relief.
• CSUSM improved to 7-0 at home this season.
• This was the first meeting between the Cougars and Sharks since 2015 with CSUSM now taking the all-time series lead at 2-1.
• The Cougars matched their season high with three stolen bases.
• Canon King extended his team-best reached-base streak to seven games and team-leading hitting streak to six games.

 
UP NEXT
CSUSM will return to action in a three-game non-conference series at Cal State LA beginning on Friday at 3 p.m.