BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Jeremy Rodriguez launched a three-run home run over the right field fence at Hardt Field Friday, giving the CSUB baseball team a 4-1 win over University of the Pacific in the teams' series opener.
Knotted 1-1 entering the bottom of the 10th, Brandon Boren laced a one-out single through the left side, Kevin Younger singled through the right side and Rodriguez followed by sending the 2-2 offering from Tigers' closer Thomas Berolzheimer long over the 325 foot sign in straightaway right field.
The win moved CSUB to 22-24 on the season while the Tigers fell to 29-17 overall.
A pitchers dual throughout, the Roadrunners finally broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth. Younger opened the frame with a triple to right center and Rodriguez collected his first RBI of the game, a sacrifice fly to left.
Pacific batted back in the top of the seventh, pushing a solo run across the plate on a pair of hits and a fielder's choice. Ben Gorang led off with a single to short, advanced to third on a single to left by Matthew Carvutto and scored on fielder's choice to second by Brett Christopher.
Bakersfield had a prime opportunity to gain the go ahead run in the eighth when Joey Mills drew a leadoff walk, Boren singled to left and Younger laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to third to advance the runners. Rodriguez was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Pacific starter Marcus Pointer got both Jason Kudlock and Martin Medina to strikeout swinging, leaving the trio of runners stranded.
On the mound, Medina retired three consecutive Pacific batters in both the ninth and the 10th before Rodriguez provided his 10th inning heroics.
CSUB starter Mickey Jannis tied his career high with 10 strikeouts, seven of which he recorded in the opening four innings. Jannis also scattered five hits and three walks for one earned run in seven complete innings. Martin Medina (5-2) tossed the final three innings, recording one strikeout.
Boren and Younger collected three hits apiece while Rodriguez had one hit, the home run, and all four Bakersfield RBIs. Medina and JJ Henry had CSUB's other two hits.
The Roadrunners and Tigers continue their three-game series Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hardt Field. Bakersfield plays it's final home game of the 2010 season Sunday at 1 p.m.
Score by Innings R H E
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Pacific............. 000 000 100 0 - 1 7 2
CSU Bakersfield..... 000 001 000 3 - 4 9 1
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Note: 1 out, 0 runners LOB when the game ended.
E - Simms, J; Martin, B(1); Henry(6). DP - PACIFIC 3. LOB - PACIFIC 9; CSUB
7. 3B - Younger(1). HR - Rodriguez(3). HBP - Haberman, J; Mills. SH -
Christopher(9); Simms, J; Oliveira, J(7); Younger(3). SF - Rodriguez(1). SB
- Oliveira, J(12). CS - Brown, J.B.(3).
