HAYWARD, Calif. – Cal Poly Pomona baseball split the doubleheader against the Pioneers on Friday afternoon, thanks to a strong extra-inning pitching performance and timely hitting. With the split, the Broncos are now 15-33 overall headed into the final game of the 2025 season.
 
 
Game 1: CPP 6, CSUEB 13
The Broncos struck first in the opening game of the doubleheader with a sacrifice fly from Marco Malerba, but the Pioneers answered emphatically with five runs in the bottom half, capitalizing on four hits and an error.
 
Despite the early deficit, CPP continued to chip away, scoring in each of the first four innings. Johnny Pappas led the charge at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three RBI, including a clutch two-run double down the left field line in the fourth that tied the game back up at 5-5. Sebastian Arguelles added a pair of hits and an RBI, while Brent Cota scored twice to keep the offense rolling.
 
Cal State East Bay refused to let up, responding again in the fourth with a three-run homer, then tacked on five more across the fifth and eighth innings. Another three-run blast in the eighth would ultimately seal the game for CSUEB.
 
Senior Tyler Reiter (2-7) made his final start for the Broncos, taking the loss after allowing 10 runs over five innings and 108 pitches. Ruben Del Castillo tossed two scoreless frames in relief, while Aaron Ceniceros allowed three runs in his one inning of work.
 
 
Game 2: CPP 3, CSUEB 1 (9 innings)
The Broncos decided to play a full 18-innings on Friday, extending their scheduled seven-inning game into extras.
 
Johnny Pappas broke the scoreless tie with a solo home run to left field in the top of the third inning, the 23^rd of his career. Pappas was a force at the plate all day, finishing 3-for-4 with the run and RBI.
 
After Cal State East Bay tied the game in the sixth on a wild pitch, both teams went quiet offensively—sending the game into extras.
 
With one out in the top of the ninth, Clay Porter delivered the decisive blow, singling through the left side to bring home Sebastian Arguelles and Brent Cota, putting the Broncos ahead 3-1. CPP would shut the door in the bottom of the inning, collecting their 15^th win of the season.
 
On the mound, starter Anthony Vasquez worked through six strong innings, allowing just one run on seven hits with five strikeouts for a quality start. The sophomore's 48 strikeouts on the season is now tied for the team lead. Reliever Andrew Campbell was dominant in relief, tossing three perfect innings and picking up his second win of the season.
 
 
Up Next
First pitch of the 2025 regular season finale against Cal State East Bay is set for 12:00 PM in Hayward.
 
 
Bronco Bits

• The Broncos are 40-27-1 all-time against Cal State East Bay, including 5-5 in their past 10 games.
• Randy Betten is now 431-299 (.591) as head coach of the Broncos and 308-219 (.585) in CCAA play.
• Betten is now 16 CCAA wins away from tying John Scolinos (324) for the most in program history.
• The Broncos have the 11th-toughest strength of schedule in all of NCAA Division II, with their opponents going 985-754 (.566) entering the weekend.
• With one hit on Thursday, Johnny Pappas officially passed Nic Hernandez (2016-19) for second place on the all-time hit list with 252 in his career. Tom Weeks (1984-87) holds the school record with 285.
• Assuming Johnny Pappas starts the final game of the season, he will finish second place on the all-time games started list at 208. Only Jacob Bernardy (2015-18) has more at 214.
• Pappas is also currently tied for second place in career walks at 122. Tom Scaletta (1981-85) holds the school record at 179.
• Tomorrow's game will be assistant coach Kevin Bowler's 400^th with the Broncos, having started during the 2017 season.