CSUMB baseball

 While the Otters eight game winning streak was snapped last weekend, it has put them back into the spotlight among the elite programs in Division II.
 The Otters, who host Stanislaus State today in a four-game series, saw Brain Morley catch fire at the plate, with 14 of his team high 16 runs batted in coming during the teams eight-game run.
 You can make the argument that CSUMB still has not found its stroke at the plate, hitting just .273 as a team. But it has been clutch with 94 runs driven in.
 What has been a pleasant surprise during the first third of the season has been the pitching, which has a 3.01 team earned run average.
 An Achilles heel over the last two years -- in part because of injuries -- the Otters staff is carrying the team right now.
 Former San Benito hurler Greg Steinbeck appears completely back from elbow surgery, as he's 2-0 with a 3.04 ERA. Daniel Harris has a 1.95 ERA in five starts.
 Yet, the key has been the bullpen. Seven different relievers have ERA's under 2.00, including Jeffrey Ahern, who has not allowed a run in 10 2/3 innings with 11 strikeouts.
 Five relievers have recorded at least one save, with Kyle Leach having a win and a save to go along with a 1.90 ERA.