HAYWARD, Calif. - The Simpson baseball team opened a three-game series against DII CCAA member Cal State Eastbay this afternoon. 

Starter Qorey Houston gave Simpson three strong innings as he allowed just two hits by the Pioneers. 

Houston worked out of some traffic in the third inning as he stranded the bases loaded to preserve the scoreless ball game. 

Simpson drew first blood in the fourth inning as a leadoff double to right center by Mario Catalan came around to score on a quality at-bat by Jaxon Hotta as he picked up the RBI groundout. 

But the Pioneers answered back in the bottom half of the inning as they plated one run off three hits on reliever Brendan Moore. 

Eastbay broke the game open in the sixth inning with a crooked number as they plated seven runs off six hits to take the 8-1 lead. 

Simpson could not string the hits together as the Pioneer's pitching staff held the Simpson offense off the scoreboard as they took the series opener 8-1. 

Catalan led the Simpson bats with three hits including a double and the lone run of the game scored. 

Bo Valladao posted a two-hit performance which included a double to right center in the third inning. 

Simpson looks to bounce back tomorrow as game one is set for an 11 am start with a second game to follow. 

Be sure to stay up to date and follow us at @simpsonredhawks on Instagram, Facebook, and X.