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POMONA, Calif. - Nico Hartojo capped off a four-hit game with a walk-off single as No. 1 seed Cal State Monterey Bay defeated No. 4 seed San Francisco State 6-5 to move into the winner's portion of the 2024 CCAA Baseball Tournament.
 
The game was tied 5-5, entering the bottom of the ninth. The Otters had only one runner on with two out before Sergio Solis singled, and pinch hitter Garrett Santos walked to load the bases. Hartojo worked the count to 2-2 before hitting a grounder into the hole between shortstop and third base.
 
The Gators' shortstop Armando Murillo made a good play getting to the ball, and he tried to get the ball to first in time. However, with Hartojo speeding up the line, Murillo had to rush his throw, and Hartojo was able to beat it to the bag to bring in KW Quilici with the game-winning run.
 
SF State trailed 2-0 early in the game before scoring in three straight innings and taking a 5-4 lead with a three-run sixth. The Gators took advantage of a throwing error for their first run of the inning before Nicholas Allred singled to right to score two and give San Francisco State its first lead of the game (5-4).
 
Cal State Monterey Bay would not let that lead stand long. Hartojo walked to start the inning before going to third on a single by Max Farfan, putting runs on the corners with no out. The next batter, Kyle Barileau, ground into a double play, but it still brought in Hartojo to tie the game.
 
The Otters threatened in the bottom of the eighth after the first two batters reached base, but Gators' pitcher Andrew Silva shut down the threat and sent the game to the ninth still tied at 5-5.
 
Cal State Monterey Bay went to its bullpen for Ryan Io, who delivered a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts to set up Hartojo's walk-off winner.
 
Hartojo reached base in all five of his plate appearances. He was 4-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored. Quilici and Jaden Sheppard also scored a pair of runs apiece. Sheppard delivered the lone home run in the game and had two walks. In the contest, the Otters struck out only once. Io earned the win to improve to 3-0 this season.
 
Nicholas Allred, Justin Johnson, and Cole Thompson all had two hits to lead the Gators.  Ian Sullivan was saddled with the loss. He went 4.2 innings, allowing six hits and four runs (three earned).
 
Cal State Monterey Bay will advance to the winner's portion of the bracket, where it will face Cal Poly Pomona on Friday, May 10, at 3 p.m. with a spot in the championship game on the line. Follow along through the CCAA Network at CCAAnetwork.com.