SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The Cal Poly Pomona baseball team opened California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play on Thursday with a tough 4-3 loss to the Coyotes of Cal State San Bernardino.
 
The result drops the Broncos to 5-2 on the year while CSUSB improved to a 3-7 overall tally.
 
The starting pitcher for CPP was Max Bethell, who allowed a pair of earned runs in 3.1 innings. He also struck out five of the 17 Coyote batters he faced. Bethell was relieved by Ryan Alsworth, who tossed the next 2.1 innings allowing just two hits and claiming five strikeouts himself.
 
Two more Broncos took the mound in the contest, each allowing a run in their appearance. Michael Koval stuck out two-of-four batters faced and coming in to close things out for CPP, Austin Boyle also fanned two batters.
 
The Broncos' first run came in the second inning when Mike Philp reached base on a fielder's choice, advanced to second on a home team error and allowed Michael Zidek to score.
 
In the second inning, the first two Coyote runs crossed the plate. However, they weren't in the lead long as the CCAA homerun leader Kyle Garlick would add to his resume a fourth homerun, putting one over the leftfield fence on a 1-2 count.
 
With the score remaining even for the next few innings and the crowd getting antsy, Michael Webberley provided a sacrifice fly for the Green and Gold to bring in Michael Erb. The Coyotes wouldn't allow the Broncos to hold the lead for long though, as the bottom half of the same inning registered them with their third run of the game.
 
The remaining two innings were unlucky on the offensive side for CPP, while being fortuitous to CSUSB. The eighth inning included a Coyotes' bunt that moved a runner to third and then the home team capitalized on a throwing error from the pitcher, causing the fourth and final run to cross.
 
CPP will play another road game against the Coyotes on Friday at 6 p.m. On Saturday, the Broncos will host a doubleheader at Scolinos Field on Homecoming. The matchups are expected to start at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
 
As part of the Homecoming event, there will be a Habit Burger truck at Scolinos Field from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The first 50 CPP students in attendance will receive a Habit Burger voucher that may be redeemed at the truck.
 
Canned Food Drive
This week, the Broncos are collecting canned goods as part of the CCAA drive to help local food banks. Fans are encouraged to donate canned food items at the basketball doubleheader on Friday and then the baseball and basketball games on Saturday.