BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — CSUB starter Mike McCarthy tallied a program record 11 strikeouts and Brandon Boren singled in the game-winning run as the Roadrunner baseball team took a 6-5 win over the University of Nevada in the final game of a three-game series Sunday at Hardt Field.
Bakersfield (7-8) won the series opener 13-8, while the Wolf Pack (8-6) took game two, 1-0.
After another disappointing offensive performance in Saturday's loss, the Roadrunners came back alive Sunday, totalling 10 hits, including four multi-hit innings.
The Roadrunners ran into some trouble in the top of the first, giving up three runs off four Nevada hits and one fielding error. With one out, Westley Moss reached on an error by CSUB third baseman Martin Medina. Brock Stassi followed with a triple down the left field line, sending Moss across home plate.
Brian Barnett kept the rally alive with an RBI-double down the right field line and, after a Shaun Kort strikeout, Nick Leid knocked an RBI-doubled to left. Nick Melino singled to first to put runners on the corners, but CSUB catcher Jeremy Rodriguez threw Melino at second on an attempted double steal to end the inning.
With two outs in the second, Nevada's Kevin Rodland reached after being hit by pitch, Moss draw a walk and Stassi hit an RBI-singled to left, giving the Wolf Pack a 4-0 lead.
McCarthy began to settle in in the third, recording three straight outs, including two on strikeouts. His offense, meanwhile, offered some help in the bottom of the third on a two-RBI Medina double to the right-center field fence. Eric Sanchez, who reached on a single to center, and Brandon Moren, who reached on a walk, scored on the play.
After another three-up, three-down inning for McCarthy, the Roadrunners knotted the score, 4-4, with a two-run fourth. Rodriguez led off with a singled up the middle, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Garrett Branske double to center. Branske moved to third on a ground out and scored on a Stuart Smith sacrifice fly.
McCarthy continued to roll, fanning a pair in the fifth and striking out the side in the sixth. Boren gave the Roadrunners their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out single up the middle that scored Joey Mills. But Nevada tied the game in the seventh on two-out a sacrifice fly off reliever Matt Reyes. Spenser Messmore replaced Reyes and recorded a fly out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth, Mills led off with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kevin Younger. Kyle Richardson struck out swinging, bringing Boren back to the plate for his game-winning single through the left side.
Messmore, the pitcher of record for CSUB, gave up a one-out single in the ninth, but recorded a strikeout and fly out to give the Roadrunners the win.
Boren, Rodriguez and Mills each had two hits for CSUB. Stassi had two hits to lead Nevada. Wolf Pack reliever Tyler Graham took the loss after striking out three and giving up two hits, including the game-winner.
McCarthy's 11 strikeouts topped Mickey Jannis' record of 10, which he recorded against Cal State Northridge during the 2009 season.
The Roadrunners return to action Friday, Mar. 19, beginning a three-game series against San Jose State. First pitch is 2:30 p.m. at Hardt Field.
Score by Innings R H E
-------------------------------------------
Nevada.............. 310 000 100 - 5 8 0
CSU Bakersfield..... 002 201 01X - 6 10 1
-------------------------------------------
Win - Messmore (1-2). Loss - Graham, T. (1-3). Save - None.
E - Medina(3). LOB - NEVADA 5; CSUB 8. 2B - Barnett, B.(7); Leid, N.(6);
Kohan, J.(1); Medina(7); Branske(1). 3B - Stassi, B.(1). HBP - Rodland, K.
2; Rodriguez. SH - Younger(1). SF - Mahoney, C.(1); Smith(1). SB - Moss,
W.(9); McIntyre(4); Mills(2). CS - Rodland, K.(1); Melino, N.(1).
