Box Score: CPP 7, CSULA 4

POMONA – Cal Poly Pomona opened the 2010 season on a strong note, receiving 5 1/3 innings of shutout relief as the Broncos came from behind in a 7-4 victory over Cal State L.A. in a nonconference 9-inning game Tuesday at Scolinos Field. 

Senior Marcus Makia was 4-for-4 with a double and two RBI and junior Travis Taijeron was 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double for CPP. 

Cal State L.A. held a 4-1 lead and chased Broncos sophomore Geoff Broussard in the fourth inning. The Golden Eagles scored twice in the first inning on an RBI-double from Cliff Quick and a run-scoring single from Jesus Campos. 

CSULA extended the lead to 3-0 in the second. Mario Ramirez' RBI-double scored Brendan McQuaid, who reached on a single to right. 

CPP answered with a run in the third on Makia's double to left center that scored Taijeron, who doubled. 

CSULA pushed ahead 4-1 in the fourth on Sam Wiley's single to left that scored Matt Miraldi, who led off with a double to left. 

The Broncos picked up one run in the sixth when junior Tyson Edwards laced a two-out single to left that scored senior Nick Tanos, who singled. 

Trailing 4-2 in the seventh, Taijeron led off with a blast over the left-field wall on Golden Eagles' reliever Nathan Pickett. Makia followed with a single and moved to second when Erik Riedel was hit by pitch. 

Tanos singled to load the bases and Makia later scored on Richard McDowell's sacrifice fly to center. 

The Broncos took the lead for good with a three-run eighth. They sent eight batters to the plate as Edwards led off with a smash single to second. He reached second when Stephen Gonzalez laid down a bunt and CSULA catcher Ramirez' throw was high at second. Taijeron flew out to second and advanced Edwards to third. 

Makia followed with a run-scoring single. Two batters later, Riedel laced a two-run single that scored Makia and Gonzalez. 

Senior Joshua Krist earned the save in the ninth. He faced three batters and struck out two. 

Senior reliever Keith Powers earned the victory, throwing 1/3 of an inning in the eighth. Junior Scott Sibley was solid in four innings of relief. He came on in the fourth and gave up two hits with three strikeouts and one walk. 

Pickett took the loss for CSULA. 

The Broncos return to Scolinos Field on Tuesday when they play host to Concordia. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.