BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Nevada's Brian Barnett hit a leadoff solo home run in the second and the Wolf Pack won the battle on the mound Saturday, as the CSUB baseball team fell 1-0 in the second of a three-game series at Hardt Field.
After a wild and offensive series opener on Friday, which resulted in a 13-8 win for the Roadrunners, both teams were held in check at the plate on Saturday, thanks to the pitching efforts on both sides. Nevada starter Brock Stassi (3-1) tallied a career-high 11 strikeouts while walking two and scattering six hits in seven complete innings. Jeremy Cole provided two innings of scoreless and hitless relief, earning his second save of the season.
For Bakersfield, starter Jonathan Montoya (1-2) tied his career-high with eight strikeouts while walking two and scattering six hits, including the solo home run to Barnett, in 7.1 innings. Relievers Matt Reyes, Sam Jones and Erik Draxton closed things out without allowing another Nevada run to score.
A scoreless, hitless complete first inning brought Barnett to the plate to lead off the second. He homered the first pitch over the right-center field fence, giving Nevada what became the game-winning run. Montoya quickly issued a fly out and ground out following the home run. After a single to right by Brett Hart, Montoya struck out Carlos Escobar swinging to end the inning.
Bakersfield's best chance came in the bottom of the sixth when Brandon Boren led off with a single to center. After Kyle Richardson struck out, Ryan McIntyre doubled to center, putting runners in scoring position. But Martin Medina hit a fly ball to the shortstop and Jason Kudlock grounded out to short, leaving the runners stranded.
The Roadrunners also got a leadoff runner in the seventh, courtesy a Garrett Branske single to center. But Mick Gaston struck out looking and pitch hitter Jeremy Rodriguez grounded into a double play.
CSUB (6-7) and Nevada (8-5) conclude the three-game series Sunday at noon at Hardt Field.
Score by Innings R H E
-------------------------------------------
Nevada.............. 010 000 000 - 1 7 0
CSU Bakersfield..... 000 000 000 - 0 6 3
-------------------------------------------
Win - Stassi, B. (3-1). Loss - Montoya (1-2). Save - Cole, J. (2).
E - Branske(1); Henry 2(4). DP - NEVADA 1. LOB - NEVADA 13; CSUB 5. 2B -
McIntyre(5). HR - Barnett, B.(3). SH - Leid, N.(1). Reached on CI - Kohan,J.
