The New Pioneer Pete goes 1-1 on his first day of work

Saturday night proved big in East Bay firsts, as the 2010-2011 Womens team notched their first win against the Golden Eagles of CSU Los Angeles, and the new Pioneer Pete made his debut replacing the 11-year-old Pioneer Pete mascot that cheered on teams in the past. They snapped a 12 game losing streak as freshman guard Sarah Finlay put up 16 points in the game. Marlene MacMillan continued to contribute, recording another double double with two 12 packs (points and rebounds).

The 7:30 game featured the Mens team of CSUEB and the 10-3 CSULA squad. In a see saw battle, the Golden Eagles edged out the Pios 67-63. The Pioneers had several leads in the game, though no lead grew more than 7 points. The Eagles stayed in striking distance, and took the lead with 2 minutes left, and never gave up that lead, although the Pioneers keep them against the ropes late in the game. With 10 seconds left, East Bay freshman guard George Toyama made a mid range jumper and was fouled in the process. He completed the 3 point play to bring the game to a 65-63 stand. With 6 seconds left, CSUEB was forced to foul, and when CSULA's Franklin Session made both of his free throws, the final outcome was decided.

The Mens team has been playing good basketball as of late, and it seems to be just a matter of time until they get their first CCAA win as their fellow Lady Pios had done so earlier that night. No fan was more upset than the new Pioneer Pete, who wanted to be a part of a clean sweep of his debut night, so he must settle for a split. Good news is though that both teams resume play in Thursday, Jan. 20th, on "Pack The Gym" night where CSUEB will be attempting to set a CCAA record for attendance of 1,000 fans, in which this dedicated group will receive free Chipotle burritos if this feat happens.

Cal State East Bay - Pioneers Battle Throughout in Setback Against No. 7 Toros

Cal State East Bay - Pioneers Battle Throughout in Setback Against No. 7 Toros

Cal State East Bay - Toros Edge Pioneers in Close Contest
Tonight both the men and women's basketball teams take on Cal. State LA . Both teams are coming off of tough loses against the Toros of Cal State Dominguez Hills. Marlene MacMillan had a monster of a game, recording 16 rebounds and 14 points in the 49-42 loss. The sophomore is averaging 9.2 boards and 7.3 points per contest for East Bay. On the men's side of things, the #7 ranked CSUDH team used their height to out stretch the Pios 70-52. The Toros brought 2 players listed at 6'9 and a 7'0 center which seemed to be at their advantage, out rebounding the Pioneers 35-17. CSUEB senior Will Freedman led the way with 16 points.

Tonight, things won't get easier in CCAA play CSULA's women's team is 6-7, and the men are 10-3, however both teams re coming off a short week, as they played at UCSD just 48 hours ago. The Golden Eagles' men's team is coming off a tough double overtime loss, so let's hope that they will show up tonight exhausted and tired. Tonight is also a monumental night for East Bay athletics, as the 11 year old veteran mascot Pioneer Pete gives way to his young replacement, the revamped Pioneer Pete as a new mascot will be revealed at the game tonight. Stop by Pioneer gymnasium to pick up a brand new limited edition Pete's Pit shirt for just $5. Action starts at 5:30!

Upset City!!!!

Saturday night the volleyball team took on top CCAA ranked Cal State San Bernadino at home. In an intense 5 game match, East Bay won it, taking the final set 15-13. The baseball team provided most, if not all, of the noise to help propel the team to victory. The x-factor? Has to be el equipo de beisbol.

Keith "Pac Man" Schwecke aught up with me for a quick inerview:

Question: How has the baseball team influenced the volleyball game atmosphere?

KS: We make it feel like we actually have a legit fan base, make the game more exciting and fun.

Q: Obviously all of the team's success cannot be attributed to the fans, but how do you think the team helps the girls play better?

KS: Well they are not used to having a crowd cheering them on like we do, so it must get them pumped and they give it all they have.

Q: How can East Bay help bring fans into sporting events?

KS: Sell alcohol.

Q: What flavors?

KS: The golden nectar called beer.

For more on Pioneer athletics, check out our website at csueastbay.edu

Walk-off win in Soccer!?

That's what the girls team did yesterday against CSU San Bernardino. With about a minute and 45 seconds remaining in double over time, Kara Yamamoto netted home the game winner sending the team into a frenzy. The fans wanted to rush the field, but the big crowd had to be contained by security and university officials...it was the place to be in Hayward, CA.

Earlier in the weekend, the volleyball team beat Cal State LA in front of a raucous East Bay audience as the fans, generated by the baseball team, helped propelled the women to their 11th win, 3rd straight. It can be argued without the vocal leadership of Aaron Brown and Keith Schwecke, the team may not have had the same success to the rate that they did Friday night. Players of the game=these two men.

Go Pios.

Battle of the Bay starts big weekend

A big weekend of sports started today as the soccer teams took on S.F. State in a Battle of the Bay game. Battle of the Bay is a new idea that started last year as CSU East Bay moved into the CCAA. The way it works, each time a school wins, they get a point towards their overall record against the opposing school. For sports that play each other multiple times, each win counts as half a point. Since SFSU won today in both men and women's (1-0 and 2-0) soccer, they have half a point for each sport. The first school to 5.5 total points will take home the covenant Bay Trophy.

In other news, cross country is running in Santa Barbara at Westmont. The men's golf team goes to the great Western Washington in the beautiful BELLINGHAM, Washington and the women's team is at the less foresty state of Arizona. Check out the full write ups for your Pio Athletics.

Rivarly Renewed

The men and women soccer teams won 3 out of their 4 combined games while on the road at Sonoma State and Humboldt. The men's team ended their first conference road trip by putting 3 goals away against the Lumberjacks. The girls got back to their winning ways and swept the road trip by winning both of their bids.

Fun fact, men's head coach, Andy Cumbo, coached at Humboldt State 2 years ago prior to getting the head coaching job at East Bay, and assistant coach Keith Lambert played his college soccer there, so this win meant more than just a notch in the 'W' column. In their lone meeting last year, Humboldt State won 3-1, so now bragging rights belong to the Pios.

In other news, the San Diego Chargers got back to their dominate style of play and beat the Jaguars 38-13. I guess there were other NFL games, but I'm sure you guys only want to hear about the Chargers.

Pio Profile #1

Each week I am going to do what I am gonna call, the "Pio Profile" which is just a question and answer sesh with a different athlete. I think we have some really good teams/players that go unrecognized, plus it will be fun to hear about how the different teams practice, stories from road trips, pre-game rituals etc. So for the first ever inaugural Pio Profile, I figured it would make sense to talk with an athlete who is currently playing in the Fall season, so I talked to my good friend from the men's golf team, A.J. Warren. A.J. Is in his first year playing on the golf team, and played at THE Castro Valley High School prior to arriving with the Pioneer golf team this Fall. Here's what he had to say...

Question: What is the hardest part about transitioning from individual competition in the summer, to team play while in college?

A.J. : I think it's now that after the round there are teammates to pick me up if I play poorly or celebrate with if I do well, and also know that all my shots count for the team and are important no matter how poor I'm playing.

Q:Do you have any pre-shot rituals?

A.J.: Rituals? no, I do have a pre-shot routine, I always take a few practice swings til I feel comfortable.

Q: It has been rumored that Tiger Woods only uses 10 balls when he is at the range, because after he hits them, he runs and collects all of them, runs back, and takes 10 more swings, and repeats this while at the range. What is the craziest thing you have done/seen to practice?

A.J.: I have seen guys swing from their knees, I have actually done it too.

Q: How does this help?

A.J.: It helps make sure that your swing is on plane cause if it's not, you'll either miss the ball or hit the ground.

Q: Gotcha. Ok last question. I am really good at Tiger Woods golf, the video game and consistently shoot in the 60s, how will this translate to my real golf game and how long will it take me to get on the PGA Tour?

A.J. : It will make you an excellent golfer right now, and you should sign up for q school right now...

Thank you A.J. The men's team is headed up to Santa Rosa tomorrow where they will be playing the Sea Wolves of Sonoma State.