RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A late rally that loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning put California Baptist University on the verge of a monumental comeback, but Cal State Los Angeles escaped the jam for a 7-2 win Friday night.

It was a near-capacity crowd (736) for the eighth-ranked Lancers in NCAA Division II home opener at Totman Stadium. And for the second night in a row, CBU outhit the Golden Eagles 10-8, thanks to two-hit performances from Zack Norris and Tyler Johnson.

Cal State LA scored all seven of its runs in the first three innings, while the Lancers scored their two runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Andrew Bash provided the big blow of the game for CBU when he led off the fifth inning with a long drive to left field.

Bryce Macy built on that when he hit a one-out single through the right side, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch and grounder to the pitcher. DJ Porter came up with a two-out single into right field to plate Macy and cap the scoring.

The Lancers were far from down, mounting the pressure on CSULA with a Norris double in the seventh, two singles from Tommy Bell and Johnson in the eighth and then its ninth-inning rally. CBU drew three-straight walks to load the bases with one out, but the Golden Eagles eluded danger once again.

Three bullpen pitchers turned in strong performances for the Lancers, as Tanner Brubaker, Travis Booth and Morgan Earman all three at least two shutout innings. Brubaker went 2 1/3, allowing just one hit, while Booth scattered two hits and a walk in two innings and Earman struck out three and walked two in two frames.

Cal State L.A. starts the year 2-0, while the Lancers are 0-2. The series finale will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. in Los Angeles.