BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — In just a season-and-a-half, the CSUB baseball team has developed a fierce rivalry against the Fresno State Bulldogs. With nine meetings now under their belts, there has never been a dull game between the two. Friday afternoon at Hardt Field was no different as the Roadrunners led 6-1 early, but were then forced to fend off late Bulldog surge before eventually succumbing to a 13-9, 10-inning loss.
Fresno State improved to 15-12 overall after scoring four runs in the top of the 10th to break a 9-9 tie. The Roadrunners, who had previously tied the game in the two previous innings, could not answer a third time, falling to 12-13 on the season.
The Bulldogs struck first with a Trent Garrison solo home run in the top of the second. The Roadrunners' Mick Gaston provided a two-RBI double to center and Brandon Boren added an RBI-double to right-center in the bottom of the inning, putting CSUB on top 3-1.
Bakersfield extended the lead to 5-1 in the third when Jeremy Rodriguez scored on a wild pitch and Kevin Younger singled in Garrett Branske. Kyle Richardson added an unearned run in the fourth on a Jason Kudlock sacrifice fly to give CSUB its largest lead, 6-1.
But as they did one night before, the Bulldogs came roaring back late, scoring five runs in the sixth, courtesy of a two-RBI double by Bobby Coyle and a three-run home run by Jordan Ribera. The rally continued in the seventh as Fresno State added two more runs on a Brennan Gowens home run, giving the visitors a 8-6 lead.
The Roadrunners tied the game in the eighth, manufacturing a pair of runs on a Rodriguez RBI-fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly to left by Kudlock.
Fresno State swiped the lead back again in the top of the ninth on a one-out RBI-double down the right field line by Coyle. Gowens scored on the play after reaching on a double to left-center.
Bakersfield tied the game once more in the home half of the ninth when pitch hitter JJ Henry bunt-singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Younger and scored on a single up the middle by Joey Mills.
In the 10th, Danny Muno tallied a three-RBI triple and Gowens added an RBI-single to center to put Fresno State on top for the final time.
CSUB starter Mike McCarthy kept the Bulldogs in check for the better of five innings, recording eights strikeouts and allowing four hits for one run during those frames. He finished with nine strikeouts to go along with one walk, 11 hits and eight runs allowed in 6.1 innings. Martin Medina, who started the game at first base, made the move to the mound in the seventh and in the 10th, and took the loss after giving up five hits and four runs.
Charlie Robertson struck out one while allowing three hits for one run in the final 2.2 innings for Fresno State, improving to 2-1 on the year.
Boren extended his hit streak to 13 consecutive games, collecting a pair of hits for CSUB. Kudlock, Gaston and Mills also had two hits apiece.
The Roadrunners and Bulldogs conclude their three game series Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hardt Field.
Score by Innings R H E
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Fresno State........ 010 005 201 4 - 13 19 4
CSU Bakersfield..... 032 100 021 0 - 9 12 0
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Win - Robertson, C (2-1). Loss - Medina (3-1). Save - None.
E - Muno, D. 2(11); Gowens, B.(2); Garrison, Tr(7). DP - FS 1; CSUB 1. LOB -
FS 5; CSUB 12. 2B - Gowens, B.(13); Coyle, B. 2(7); Ribera, J.(10); Charles,
J.(1); Boren(8); Rodriguez(2); Gaston(2). 3B - Muno, D.(1). HR - Gowens,
B.(1); Ribera, J.(10); Garrison, Tr(4). HBP - Branske 2. SH - Muno, D.(2);
Richardson(1); Younger(2). SF - Kudlock 2(3). CS - Gowens, B.(1); Weber,
G.(3); Branske(3).
