BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ? Getting the key hit evaded the CSUB baseball team for a second consecutive outing in a 5-4 loss to the University of San Francisco Wednesday at Hardt Field.
The Roadrunners (4-19) had six hits on the day and scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to come within one of the Dons, but could not manage a hit in the final two innings, falling just short.
San Francisco (12-17) pushed single runs across the plate in the third, fourth and fifth to hold a 3-1 lead through six complete innings. Chris Dittman led off the third with a single, advanced to second when Zach Kim was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Bobby Ethel and scored on a ground out by Derek Poppert. With one out in the fourth, Stephen Yarrow blasted a home run over the center field fence to give the Dons a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, Bakersfield rallied for a run, cutting the deficit to 2-1. With one out, Ryan McIntyre doubled to center field and was sent home by a Martin Medina single to center. Looking to tie the score, Stuart Smith reached after being hit by pitch, putting runners on first and second, but Derek Geisinger struck out swinging for the final out.
The Dons put together a two-out rally in the fifth, pushing the lead back to two. After a ground out and strikeout, Poppert drew a walk, advanced to second on a throwing error by CSUB relief pitcher Jacob Valenzuela, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a double to right-center field by Chavez. Valenzuela then settled in to strike out Yarrow to end the inning.
San Francisco also used a walk, a hit and a CSUB error to score a pair of unearned runs in the top of the seventh.
Down 5-1 entering the home half of the seventh, Bakersfield rallied for a trio of scores. Geisinger led off with a walk, and after a Mick Gaston strikeout, Garrett Branske singled to center on a full count. Joey Mills followed with a single up the middle to plate Geisinger and Brandon Boren knocked CSUB's third consecutive hit to left center, sending Branske across home plate. McIntyre accounted for the final RBI of the inning, reaching on a fielder's choice while Mills safely reached home.
McIntyre safely hit for the ninth consecutive game, finishing 1-for-4 with an RBI while Boren, Medina and Mills also contributed RBI hits.
San Francisco got a pair of hits each from Yarrow, Travis Higgs and Dittman, while Poppert and Matt Chavez each added one.
Sam Jones (0-4) took the loss for Bakersfield, striking out five, walking one and scattering four hits for a pair of runs in four innings.
After starter Jonathan Abramson lasted just four innings for the Dons, reliever Joe Oropeza (1-1) was credited with the victory. Closer Bob Mott earned his first save of the season, striking out two and walking two without giving up a hit in the final 2.2 innings.
Bakersfield returns to action Friday, Apr. 3 when they begin a five-game series with defending national champion Fresno State. The teams will meet for three games in Fresno, then move the series to Bakersfield on Apr. 7 and 8 for the final two contests. Friday night's first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Beiden Field.
Score by Innings R H E
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San Francisco....... 001 110 200 - 5 8 1
CSU Bakersfield..... 000 100 300 - 4 6 3
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Win - OROPEZA (1-1). Loss - Jones (0-4). Save - MOTT (1).
E - POPPERT(12); Boren(6); Medina(8); Valenzuela(1). DP - USF 1. LOB - USF 7; CSUB 6. 2B - CHAVEZ(5); HIGGS 2(2); McIntyre(7). HR - YARROW(4). HBP - KIM 2; Smith. SH - ETHEL(3); Mills(3). SB - ETHEL(4); CHAVEZ(1). CS - YARROW(2); Gaston(1).
