SEASIDE, Calif.– With the score tied at 4-4 and runners on first and second and the count 0-1 in the top of the ninth inning, SF State's Andrew Breen hit a two-out two-run triple to give the Gators a 6-4 lead, a lead they would not relinquish, as the visitors took the series finale 7-4 over the 7^th ranked Cal State Monterey Bay Otters at The Otter Sports Complex in Seaside this afternoon. 

"I'm extremely proud of the guys and how they competed against a tremendous team," said SF State head coach Tony Schifano.  "Peter Reyes was phenomenal in the start for us today."

The Gators took a 1-0 lead in their half of the fifth inning.  Bryce Brooks walked to lead off the game and scored on a one-out double by Ryan Burke.  SF State doubled its lead in the second on a Joe Chedid double which brought in Chris Nicholson after he reached on a lead-off single to give the Gators a 2-0 lead.

Chedid drove in his second run of the game in the top of the sixth inning when he reached on a fielder's choice which brought in Myles Franklin to give the Gators a 3-0 lead.  Franklin and Burke had back-to-back singles to lead off the inning.  They advanced to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Logan Marston, then Nicholson walked to load the bases for Chedid.  The senior utility player drove in Franklin with the Gators' third run on a fielder's choice.

Peter Reyes, in his first start of the season, held the nationally ranked Otters scoreless in the five innings the senior right-hander pitched.  He gave up four hits, walked two and struck out a season high four batters.  The Benicia native picked up the no-decision as the hosts ended up tying the game in the sixth and seventh innings.

The Otters (18-4, 7-3) cut the Gator lead to 3-2 with a two-run sixth inning.  Kevin Davidson had a lead-off single off of Chedid, who came in relief of Reyes.  Davidson reached second when Justin Flores reached on a Gator error.  Chris Blanton walked to load the bases with one out.  Davidson scored the hosts' first run on a wild pitch.  Then still with one out, Flores scored on a when Garret Brown grounded out to inch closer to SF State 3-2.

SF State, who snapped the Otters' nine-game winning streak at home, added a run in the top of the seventh inning.  Jake Faulkner reached base when was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh.  He went to second on a passed ball, but was out at third when Brooks reached on a fielder's choice.  Brooks then stole second base and scored on a two-out single by Franklin as the Gators took a 4-2 lead.

Cal State Monterey Bay would not go away as the Otters tied the game on a two-out two-run home run by Flores in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Gators were retired in order in the eighth and Brent Montgomery came in the bottom of the eighth and held the Otters scoreless and the game remained tied at 4-4 heading into the ninth.

Faulkner, once again, led off the inning being hit by a pitch. He went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brooks.  With two outs, Franklin walked to put Gators on first and second.  Then with the count 0-1, Andrew Breen delivered the second pitch he saw for a triple down the left field line which brought in Faulkner and Franklin with the go-ahead and insurance runs.  Breen then gave the Gators a 7-4 lead as he crossed home plate on a single by Marston.

Montgomery retired the Otters in order to preserve the Gators 7-4 victory.  The junior transfer improved to 3-0 as he pitched two scoreless innings of relief, giving up no hits while striking out two and walking one. 

Kyle Narahara (2-1) recorded the loss in the defeat for Cal State Monterey Bay, pitching 1.2 innings, giving up two hits, three runs while walking two and striking out one.  Jared Koenig pitched 4.1 innings in the start for the Otters, giving up five hits, two runs, walking two and striking out two.  The Otters had six hits on the day with Rosado leading the way going 2-for-4 with a run scored. 

SF State's offensive attack managed 10 hits with Franklin and Burke each with two hits apiece.  Brooks and Franklin each scored two of the Gators' 7 runs while Bren and Chedid each drove in two runs.

The Gators (9-11, 3-7 CCAA) will return to the diamond this Wednesday, March 23 at 3pm, when they travel to Hayward, Calif., for a single nine-inning CCAA game with Cal State East Bay.  They will return home this Friday, March 25 to begin a three-game CCAA series with Cal State L.A. with a doubleheader at 11am at Maloney Field. 

Box Score
 -----
Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.

Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments.  For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.