ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University baseball team (1-6) hits the road this week for a four-game series against Cal State East Bay (3-4) at Pioneer Baseball Field.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026
Central Washington at Cal State East Bay (Doubleheader)
Game One: 11:00 a.m. | Game Two: 2:00 p.m.
WATCH:
HERE
LIVE STATS:
HERE
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026
Central Washington at Cal State East Bay (Doubleheader)
Game One: 10:00 a.m. | Game Two: 1:00 p.m.
Pioneer Baseball Field
Hayward, Calif.
WATCH:
HERE
LIVE STATS:
HERE
LAST WEEKEND:
The 'Cats opened the road trip with a 12-10 victory before dropping the final three games of a four-game set against Cal State San Bernardino at Fiscalini Field. The Wildcats claimed the series opener Friday behind a late offensive surge, but the Coyotes responded with a 13-11 win in Saturday's first game, followed by a 20-2 decision in the nightcap of the doubleheader. Sunday's finale featured another high-scoring affair, with Central falling 16-12 to close the weekend at 1-3 overall.
CWU's offense was led by
Andre Garza, who topped the team with seven hits while adding four RBIs and four runs scored over the series.
Conrad Henkel scored a team-leading six runs and matched the lead with six hits, while driving in five.
Ethan Swenson led the Wildcats in RBIs, driving in seven runners, while adding six hits and five runs scored.
Logan Blank,
Ethan Buckley and Swenson each finished with six hits, while
Kaiden Hernandez and
Andrew Charron tied with five RBIs apiece. Blank also drew a team-high five walks, helping anchor the Wildcats' production throughout the weekend.
The Wildcat pitching staff was anchored by
Braden Zadow, who earned the lone win of the weekend and did not allow a run across two innings of work in his first appearance, while scattering just two hits while striking out three over two appearances.
Austin Cupic turned in the longest outing of the series, tossing five innings with a staff-best four strikeouts in Game One of Saturday's doubleheader.
Garet Hagy also provided length in the finale, working 5.1 innings with four strikeouts while allowing four earned runs. Out of the bullpen,
Kyler Malnar fired 1.2 scoreless innings in the opener, and
Kellen Berg recorded a save in Game One while appearing in two contests over the weekend.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS:
Cal State East Bay sits at 3-4 overall after a challenging slate that included a season-opening trip to Florida and a three-game set against Menlo. The Pioneers dropped their first two games on the road to Barry University and Lynn University before bouncing back with consecutive wins over Lynn and Palm Beach Atlantic University to finish the trip 2-2. Back in California, East Bay fell 9-8 at home to Menlo College, responded with a 17-3 road victory in Atherton, and closed the series with a 7-4 loss at Pioneer Baseball Field. The Pioneers are 3-2 on the road but are 0-2 in Hayward, entering the week on a one-game skid.
At the plate, the Pioneers are led by Dominick Najar, who is hitting .455 with a 1.174 OPS, 10 hits, nine runs scored and six stolen bases in seven attempts. Logan Stelling is batting .417 with three doubles and five RBIs, while William James (.400) and Dylan Unangst (.375, .500 OBP) have provided consistent production near the top of the order. Gio Martini has delivered power and run production, posting a 1.142 OPS with a home run, seven RBIs and a team-high .586 on-base percentage, and Marc DiCarlo Jr. has added seven RBIs and a homer as part of the Pioneers' balanced attack.
On the mound, East Bay has been paced by Derek Murphy, who is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA and a staff-best 11 strikeouts in 6.2 innings. Matthew Orozco owns a 1.50 ERA with nine strikeouts across six innings, and Jaxen McAdara is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA over five innings. In relief, Lincoln Juarez (1-0) and Jack Harper have yet to allow an earned run, combining for seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings, helping anchor a bullpen that has contributed to the Pioneers' 3-4 start.
The Wildcats and Pioneers take the field for the four-game series starting on Saturday, Feb. 21 with first pitch from the Pioneer Baseball Field scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
