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THIS WEEK
After opening their inaugural season with a four-game home stand, the Roadrunners continue play at home this week with a four-game series against University of Utah. The team's square off Friday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m., play a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 and conclude play Sunday, Mar. 1 at 1 p.m. All games will take place on CSUB's Hardt Field.
LIVE STATS
Live statistics are available for all CSUB home games. Follow all the action real-time by visiting GoRunners.com.
'RUNNER RECAP
CSUB opened its inaugural season with a three-game series against St. Louis and one game against No. 30 UC Santa Barbara. The ?Runners nearly pulled off an amazing comeback in the opener, but fell just short in the final inning. Down 8-3 headed into the bottom of the ninth, CSUB strung together four hits to score four runs, but was unable to push the tying run across the plate as St. Louis' closer Chaz Salembier recorded a pair of strikeouts to end the game. The following day, CSUB picked up its first-ever wins, in back-to-back fashion, 4-2 and 8-4, over the Billikens. Sunday, the ?Runners went up against reigning Big West Pitcher of the Year, Mario Hollands, and were unable to push a run across the plate, falling 10-0, to finish opening weekend an even 2-2.
PROJECTED PITCHING MATCH-UPS
GAME 1, FRIDAY, FEB. 27
CSUB: Mickey Jannis (RHP)
Utah: Brian Budrow (RHP)
GAME 2, SATURDAY, FEB. 28
CSUB: Erik Draxton (RHP)
Utah: Jordan Whatcott (RHP)
GAME 3, SATURDAY, FEB. 28
CSUB: Jonathan Montoya (LHP)
Utah: Andrew Wilding (RHP)
GAME 4, SUNDAY, MAR. 1
CSUB: Sam Jones (LHP)
Utah: Bryn Card (LHP)
SCOUTING UTAH
Utah is 1-3 after opening the season in a four-game series at Loyola Marymount. The Utes dropped an 11-inning, 8-7 decision to LMU in both team's season-opener, then came back the next morning to claim an 11-7 win. Junior right-handed pitcher Jordan Whatcott picked up the win, striking out five and scattering six hits in five innings. Utah's offense then went cold in the final two games of the series, scoring a combined two runs on 14 hits.
Through four games, Utah's offense has been led by junior third baseman Nick Kuroczko, who is hitting .462. His six hits include a pair of triples, while he has also drove in three runs. Junior outfielder Rick Cornu also had a productive opening weekend, hitting .333 with six hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs.
The Utes completed the 2008 season with a 26-28 record. They return 15 letterwinners, including two starting pitchers and five position starters in 2009.
MODEL OF CONSISTENCY
Junior shortstop Kyle Richardson began his career in a Roadrunner uniform by blasting a solo home run on the first pitch in his first at bat on opening day. That hit will forever go down as the first hit, home run, run and RBI for the CSUB program. But Richardson was no a one-hit wonder opening weekend, as he went 8-for-17 (.471) in four games. Along with the home run, he recorded a pair of doubles, one triple, five RBIs and three runs. Richardson also had a standout defensive outing with a number of athletic catches as part of a 12-putout, 16-assist performance.
ON DECK
The Roadrunners hit the road for the first time this season, making the short trip up to UC Davis for a 2:30 p.m. start on Tuesday, Mar. 3. CSUB then heads southwest to Moraga to face off against St. Mary's on Wednesday, Mar. 4 at 2:30 p.m.
TOUGH SCHEDULE
Bakersfield's inaugural schedule has been listed as the 29th toughest in the nation, according to a strength of schedule ranking by boydsworld.com. CSUB has 21 games against 10 opponents ranked above them on the strength of schedule list, including No. 8 Cal Poly, No. 11 Pacific, No. 13 UC Davis, No. 14 UC Riverside, No. 16 Loyola Marymount, No. 18 UC Santa Barbara, No. 21 San Francisco, No. 22 Saint Mary's and No. 24 Cal State Northridge.
TOGETHER AGAIN
Bakersfield is the fourth school coaches Bill Kernen and Jody Robinson have worked at together. The two were assistants at Cal State Fullerton in the late 1970's through 1981. During that time, the Titans, who had just made the transition to Division I in 1975, earned five NCAA Tournament appearances, including two trips to the College World Series and a national championship title in 1979. They also teamed up briefly in 1988, both serving as assistants to former Titan Head Coach Augie Garrido, this time at the University of Illinois. In 1991, Kernen was in his second season as the head coach at Cal State Northridge, leading the Matadors through the transition from DII to DI play. Robinson joined the staff as an assistant coach, helping CSUN to a 44?18?1 record, the West Regional championship game and a top 10 ranking in the final NCAA Division I poll in its first season of DI play.
HARDT FIELD
Coming from the 99 Freeway (north or south) exit at Ming Ave. and proceed WEST to Haggin Oaks Blvd. (approximately four miles). Turn right on Haggin Oaks to Camino Media. Turn left on Camino Media. Turn right into campus on Roadrunner Drive and park in Lot E or I. Hardt Field is located west of Lot E.
TICKETS, PLEASE
Ticket information for all Roadrunner home baseball games may be found online at GoRunners.com or by calling the CSUB Athletics Ticket Office at (661) 654-BLUE.
NEED MORE INFO?
For all of the most up-to-date information about CSUB Baseball and all other Roadrunner sports, check out the CSUB Athletics Web site at: GoRunners.com.
