HAYWARD, Calif. (Feb. 11) – The Central Washington University baseball team split its season opening doubleheader with a 1-0 victory and 9-4 loss against California State University East Bay.
 
Jake Levin tossed seven innings of shutout ball, striking out a pair, and allowing just five hits.  The right-hander earned his first win of the season.  Kyle Thompson earned his first hold, tossing a perfect inning of relief in the eighth.  Christopher Dalto nailed down his first save.
 
"Levin did what we know he is capable of," CWU Assistant Coach Scott Stone said.  "Being a senior, he knows what works for himself and he hit his spots.  He attacked hitters and let our defense do the work."
 
Ty Deckwa drove in the only run of the ball game, singling through the right side and driving in Dalto in the fifth inning.
 
Rory Graf-Brennen finished game one with two hits.  Conor Plaisance was 1-for-3 in game one.
 
The scoring began in the third inning in game two.  James Smith III crushed a pitch from Nick Risucci to left field with the bases chalk full of Wildcats, giving Central a 4-0 lead.
 
"Jimmy has worked hard this offseason and it definitely showed today," Stone added.  "We had an opportunity to put some runs up and I told him to stay within himself and drive something to the outfield.  He got something up that he could hand and he put it in the trees."
 
East Bay retaliated in the bottom of the inning.  Evan Steele started the scoring with a single to center.  Steele scored on a wild pitch later in the inning.  Troy Resch singled home a run, before Zack Perugi hit a sacrifice fly to center, which levelled the score. 
 
The Pioneers picked up three more runs in the fifth and tacked on one more in the sixth.
 
The Wildcats' bullpen allowed seven hits, five runs, and walked six batters.  Jared Cogar was charged with the loss.
 
"We just lacked execution on the bump," Stone admitted.  "It was good to see some guys throw for the first time and work out the nerves."
 
Smith III finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate with four runs batted in.  Graf-Brennen picked up a pair of hits.
 
"I was really proud of how we picked it on defense," Stone finished.  "Being the first time outside and on natural surface, we stressed fundamentals and our guys played clean defense."
 
The Wildcats are back in action tomorrow (Feb. 12) for another twin-billing against Cal State East Bay.  First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.