Bulldogs open season with sweep of Shasta
SAN MATEO – The 2026 College of San Mateo baseball season got off to a solid start over the weekend with the Bulldogs sweeping a two-game series from visiting Shasta College. CSM held on for a 5-3 opening-day win on Friday and followed that up with a 7-5 victory on Saturday.
Game 1: San Mateo 5, Shasta 3
Freshman Carter Bleeker had an impressive collegiate debut, going 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and 2 RBI to lead CSM at the plate in the Bulldogs' win on Friday.
San Mateo led 3-0 after seven innings, getting strong pitching efforts from opening-day starter Michael Volkman (3 inn., 0 runs, 1 hit, 2 K) and Corbin Giesen (W, 4 inn., 0 runs, 3 hits, 4 K). Shasta finally broke through with two runs in the eighth and a run in the ninth but A.J. Minyard was able to end the threat and earn the save in closing out the victory.
Game 2: San Mateo 7, Shasta 5
CSM jumped out in front early once again, using a big four-run, fourth-inning rally go out ahead 6-1. Aaron Babaev delivered the big blow in the fourth, a bases-clearing double. Jeremy Wrona went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a double while Lucas Schumaker (2-for-5), Rocco Giometti (2-for-2, 2B, RBI), and Joseph Hoskins (2-for-3) all had two hits.
Pitching was solid once again for the Bulldogs. Luke Ulrigh (3 inn., 7 K), Elliot Webb (2 inn., W), Toby Trotter (2 inn., 4 K), Archie Paul (0.2 inn.), and Brody Ceyrolles (1 inn., 2 K, save) all had scoreless outings.
CSM, 2-0 overall, returns to action on Tuesday (Jan. 27) when the Bulldogs travel to College of Marin for a 1:30 p.m. non-conference game.