LACEY, Wash. – The Central Washington University baseball team split its games with Saint Martin's University.
 
The Wildcats (1-1) took game one, 10-8, before dropping game two to the Saints (1-1) 6-4.
 
GAME ONE
Dillon Larsen took to the mound in the season opener for the Crimson and Black. The southpaw struck out four of the first seven hitters he faced. A lead-off walk for the Saints in third came around to score on a single from Ryne Oshiro for a 1-0 lead. A sacrifice bunt then plated the Saints' second run and gave SMU a 2-0 lead.
 
Central responded in the top of the fourth. Tyler McClain singled home Jason Hill, before Zach Berryman roped a double to right to drive in Austin Ohland. Adam Fashel then doubled down the left field line, scoring both Berryman and McClain to give Central Washington a 4-2 lead.
 
The Saints put a crooked number on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. A solo shot made it 4-3, before a two-run double put Saint Martin's back on top 6-5. In the sixth inning, a throwing error allowed another run to cross, giving SMU an insurance marker at 6-4.
 
With Trevor Tripoli on, Justin Hampson roped a 3-1 pitch down the left field line for a double and an RBI.  It wasn't until the eighth inning before CWU was able to erase their deficit.  A triple from Jake Tilley brought home a pair, putting the Crimson and Black ahead 7-6.  Saint Martin's responded by plating a pair of runs in the eighth, taking an 8-7 lead.
 
Hampson went to work again in the ninth, leading off with a first-pitch double. He advanced to third when Mitch Lesmeister lined out to right field for the inning's second out. Down to their last out, Ohland drew a walk to put the go-ahead run on base. McClain took the first offering he saw deep down the right field line for his first homerun as a Wildcat. JJ Asinas (1-0) came on in the eighth and struck out a pair in the ninth to earn his first win of the season.
 
McClain finished with four RBI, three hits, and three runs scored.  Berryman also finished with three hits and he crossed home plate twice.
 
GAME TWO
Central found the scoreboard first in the backend of the doubleheader, plating a run in the first. The 'Cats offense struck again in the second, when Tripoli sent a 1-2 offering back up the middle to score Michael Peter. The Saints put up two runs in the second, tying the game at 2-2.
 
A single in the third from SMU's Cody Chavis drove in a pair and made it 4-2 in favor of the Saints. The Crimson and Black responded in the fifth inning with a two-run double to left center from Lesmeister. He drove in Hampson and Tripoli, tying the game at 4-4.
 
Reid Little put the Saints ahead once more in the sixth inning. He took a 1-0 pitch to left center for a double, driving in a pair for a 6-4 lead.
 
Tripoli led off the seventh with a seven-pitch at-bat, ending with a free base after he was hit by a pitch. Berryman followed with a single to center field off a 1-2 offering. Hampson then laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving the runners into scoring position but Central could not find a way to bring them around.
 
Josh Touhey (0-1) was charged with the loss. He went three innings in relief and allowed two earned runs.  Touhey struck out three, as well.
 
NEXT UP
The Wildcats are home against Saint Martin's tomorrow (Feb. 27) for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.