Using a pitcher-by-committee approach, Menlo used seven hurlers to limit East Bay to two earned runs on seven hits, but didn't receive the necessary offensive support for it to pay off. The Oaks fell behind early when their second pitcher, Ray Lozada, allowed one second-inning run and Brendan Moe was touched for two unearned runs an inning later.

As it turned out, three runs were plenty for the Pioneers. Menlo hardly made any serious threats to score throughout the game as it shook the rust off its bats.

Shane Parsons doubled with two out in the first inning, but was quickly stranded; Michael Brandi led off the second with a two-bagger only to be caught stealing with one out; Chris Mazza drew a two-out walk in the third before being stranded without advancing; and Joel Hull and Paul Oakley stroked back-to-back singles with two down in the fifth before Mazza struck out. In the sixth inning Parsons reached on an error before Kyle Wilkerson grounded into a double play. Brandi followed with a double, but Ty Finley struck out to end the inning.

Menlo was only able to send three batters to the plate in each of its final three at bats.

Brian Phillips started on the mound for the Oaks, pitching one scoreless inning before giving way to Lozada, who allowed his run on two hits and two walks before getting out a jam. Moe went one inning, Derek Martinez pitched a scoreless fourth, Sean Sweeney allowed one runs on two hits in the fifth, Adam Koontz pitched a scoreless sixth, and Menlo's top returner on the mound, Brian Priestley, cruised through two innings while only surrendering a pair of walks.

Brandi led Menlo at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles. Three other Oaks had one hit apiece.

Devin Grigg was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored for East Bay while Nick McManus was also 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Stephen Gatehouse and Brian Engberg each had a base hit and an RBI for the Pioneers.

Menlo, 0-1, heads south this weekend for a three-game series with No. 10/12 (ABCA/Collegiate Baseball; NCBWA-D3baseball.com polls) Pomona-Pitzer (0-2) in Claremont, Calif. Cal State East Bay is 1-0.