LONG BEACH, Calif. (Interstat) — The California Baptist Lancers weathered an early storm and rode a dominant relief performance from Ryne Palmer to a 10-5 victory over the Long Beach State Dirtbags on Monday night at Blair Field.

The game’s defining moment came in a chaotic first inning that saw the Lancers’ early 10-run advantage nearly evaporate before Palmer entered to extinguish the rally and set the tone for the remainder of the contest.

California Baptist (27-6) sent 14 batters to the plate in a marathon top of the second inning, erupting for all 10 of their runs. The Lancers capitalized on wildness from Long Beach State starter Jake Fields and reliever Alex Ramos, drawing five walks in the frame. The big blow came from Bryce McFeely, who launched a two-run homer to deep left field off Dirtbags reliever Jaxon Baker. Chris Ramirez and Riley Hunsaker also delivered RBI singles in the inning, which featured a run-scoring balk and a sacrifice fly from Cole Howarth.

The seemingly comfortable lead was immediately jeopardized in the bottom half. Long Beach State (10-21) answered with four runs, chasing Lancers starter Sam Burgess after he hit two batters and allowed a two-run single to Matt Toomey. An error on the play allowed a third run to score, and Dylan Lina followed with an RBI single to make it 10-4.

With the bases empty but two outs, California Baptist manager Gary Adcock summoned Palmer from the bullpen. The right-hander struck out Kaiden Smaka to end the first-inning threat and then proceeded to shut down the Dirtbags’ offense. Palmer fired 3 2/3 hitless innings, striking out six and walking none. His outing provided critical stability, allowing the Lancers to reset after the frenetic opening frames.

Palmer’s effort was extended by Andrew Rudd, who followed with three scoreless innings of his own, yielding just one unearned run in the seventh on an RBI single from Trotter Enright. Rudd struck out five.

The Dirtbags’ Baker, after entering in the disastrous second, provided his own brand of vital relief. He settled the game for Long Beach State, lasting 3 2/3 innings and allowing two runs on six hits while striking out six. Joey Iglesias added a perfect seventh inning with two strikeouts for the Dirtbags.

Long Beach State threatened again in the eighth, putting two runners on with one out, but the Lancers’ bullpen combo of Kody Smathers, Cameron Teper and Luis Becerra stranded them. California Baptist added two insurance runs in the ninth on a two-run double by pinch-hitter Matthew Bline.

Toomey led the Dirtbags’ six-hit attack, going 3 for 4 with two RBIs. The Lancers finished with 10 hits, with Hunsaker collecting three.

The victory extends a strong start to the season for California Baptist, while Long Beach State continues to search for consistency.

California Baptist next hosts Texas-Arlington for a three-game series beginning Friday. Long Beach State travels to face Loyola Marymount on Tuesday before opening a conference series at home against Cal State Fullerton on Friday.