It was a nightmare ninth.

A day after San Diego Christian blew the doors off TMU’s conference opener with eight runs in the first two innings, the Hawks slowly peeled off a Band-Aid supplied by eight innings of solid baseball.

San Diego scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth Saturday to beat the Mustangs 9-8 in game one of a doubleheader at Barona Stars Field in Lakeside.

The final frame featured four hits and two errors, Josh Lamonte driving in the winning run on what was scored a fielder’s choice.

It all worked to unravel an otherwise impressive turnaround after Friday’s 12-7 loss.

Mustang Jaiden France went 2-for-4, driving in a run with a single in the first and two more with a double in the seventh that tied the score, 5-5.

Three more Mustang runs came across in the eighth, the highlight a Preston White RBI single.

White went 2-for-4 at the plate and ultimately took the loss on the mound.

TMU (5-4 overall, 0-2 in Golden State Athletic Conference) made six errors in the game, furthering a troubling trend in the season’s early going.

Eric Williams started on the mound for TMU. He allowed three runs (two earned) in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked one.

Scott Savage came in for 3 1/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned). He struck out seven, walked none and was charged with a run in the ninth after allowing a single before White relieved him.