Game 1 Boxscore
Game 2 Boxscore

HAYWARD, Calif. - Northwest Nazarene overcame a 2-0 deficit against Cal State East Bay (5-4) scoring three runs in the ninth, but an error then set up a two-run walkoff home run by Eddie Rettagliata in the bottom of the inning as the Crusaders sustained their first loss of the season 4-3 at Pioneer Field.  NNU, however, bounced back to win the second game 7-3 to improve to 7-1 on the season.

A single by third baseman Kaleb DeHass and a two-run double by second baseman Jon Matos had given NNU the lead before a one-out error led to Rettagliata's blast.

Charles Pollock pitched seven innings and allowed just four hits and one earned run but had to settle for a no-decision.

"Today we faced some of the best pitching we've seen in the past three or four years," commented NNU head coach Tim Onofrei.  "We did a good job of battling back in the ninth to make it tight and the kid hit a pretty good pitch for the game winner, so good job to him."

In the second game, NNU used a five-run third inning to earn the split. The Crusaders scored their runs on a bases-loaded walk to centerfielder Sean McDonald, a bunt single by Greg Hata, two ground outs and a RBI double by Logan Parker.

Sacrifice flies by Kris Bos and DeHaas in the fifth and sixth completed the scoring.

"We were able to put pressure on them in game two - playing a little small ball - and getting some runs across," Onofrei added.  "And DeHaas had another solid day for us at the plate."

Meanwhile, George Casper pitched three innings, allowing just two hits and an unearned run to save the game for starter Patrick Patterson, who scattered eighth hits in six innings in picking up his first win.

Hata, Ben Clare and DeHass all had two hits for NNU. DeHass finished the twinbiull with five hits in seven at bats, two runs scored and two RBI.

The Crusaders will now travel to Chico, Calif. for a doubleheader against the Wildcats on Tuesday afternoon.