BAKERSFIELD, Calif.--The CSU Bakersfield baseball team opens the 2013 season this weekend with games against Nebraska, USC and Cal State Fullerton.
CSU Bakersfield and Nebraska are playing for the sixth time with the Roadrunners leading the all-time series 3-2. The teams split a doubleheader last season in Lincoln. This will be the sixth time that CSUB and USC are playing with the Trojans leading the all-time series 5-0. USC swept a three-game series in Los Angeles last March before defeating the Roadrunners in a single game in Bakersfeld last April. This is the first time that CSU Bakersfield and Cal State Fullerton are playing in baseball.
Here is a look at the 2013 Roadrunners;
PITCHERS: Jonathan Montoya returns after sitting out 2012 due to Tommy John Surgery on his left pitching arm. Montoya should emerge as the Friday night starter, but will be brought along slowly at the beginning of the season.
As a junior in 2011, Montoya reset the school records for most complete games (7) and wins in a season (8 tied with Mike McCarthy). At one point, the 5-7 art major recorded five complete games in five starts. 8-5 in 16 starts, Montoya struck out 86 (second on team) in 115.1 innings (second on the team).
2012 saw CSUB have to rebuild its weekend rotation due to Montoya's injury and the loss of Mike McCarthy (MLB Draft) and Tommy Hoenshell (transfer). The Roadrunners found three pitchers who combined for 18 victories.
Senior Jeff McKenzie was named CollegeSportsMadness.com Independent Pitcher of the Year and was also named first team All-Independent by College SportsMadness.com. McKenzie, who started on most Fridays, went 6-5 with a team leading 2.67 ERA. McKenzie was the team leader in strikeouts (69) and innings pitched (107.1). He struck out 12 batters against Santa Clara Apr. 6, the second most in a game by a CSUB pitcher.
Senior Scott Brattvet was 2012's Saturday starter. Brattvet was 6-5 with a 4.75 ERA. He posted three complete games in 14 starts, striking out 66 in 91 innings.
Junior Taylor Aikenhead started on Sundays before being shutdown late in the year due to an elbow issue. He was selected first team All-Independent by CollegeSportsMadness.com. AIkenhead went 6-3 in 10 starts and ended the regular season tied for 20th in Division I with McKenzie in complete games with five.
A pair of redshirt seniors, Chuck Buchanan and Brandon Van Dam should contend for the weekday starter's slot. Buchanan appeared in four games, starting two before an elbow injury ended his season in March. He was 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA and struck out 12 in 13.2 innings.
Van Dam sat out last season due to shoulder surgery on his pitching arm. Van Dam was limited by his shoulder to four games as a junior. Before being injured, Van Dam posted a 3-0 record and a 1.90 ERA. He tossed a complete game five-hitter against Northern Illinois Mar. 6, 2011.
Sophomores James Barragan and Hayden Carter as well as junior college transfer Josh Rodriguez should emerge as the first options out of the bullpen.
Barragan pitched in 18 games out of the bullpen as a freshman, going 0-4 with a 4.08 ERA. He struck out 24 in 28.2 innings.
Carter tied for team lead in saves (2) with Spenser Messmore. He also tied for second on the squad in appearances with Barragan (18). Carter was 1-3 with a 4.81 ERA, striking out 22 in 43 innings.
Rodriguez comes to CSUB from Cabrillo College where led the team in victories (9-2), innings pitched (91.1), and strikeouts (83) as a sophomore. The team made California State Junior College Tournament. He pitched primarily out of the bullpen as a freshman, leading the squad in appearances with 20.
Redshirt junior Allen Gwynn could also see action on the mound as well in the field.
Gwynn was honored as the All-American utility player for the California Community College Association for Ventura College in 2011. He was chosen for first team All-Conference for Ventura as a sophomore after hitting .324 with one home run and 26 RBI's. He also led team in victories with five (5-6) and ERA (4.22) in 2011.
CATCHER: Junior Cael Brockmeyer is on the radar of many MLB clubs coming into the 2013 season. The 6-5 Massachusetts native, became the first Roadrunner to play in the Cape Cod League over the Summer of 2012, hitting .278 with five home runs and 13 RBI's for the Cotuit Kettleers.
As a member of the Roadrunners a year ago, Brockmeyer led CSUB in home runs (6) and RBI's (32). He reset school record for most putouts in a season with 393, committing only two errors in 436 chances (a .995 fielding percentage). Brockmeyer was second on squad in slugging percentage (.460), third on the team in on-base percentage (.388), and third batting average (.285).
On the days in which Brockmeyer moves from behind the dish to first base, Frank Martinez dons the tools of ignorance. Martinez tied for second on the team in home runs (3) with DC Legg last season. He hit. 294 with 18 RBI's. Martinez threw out eight of 19 runners attempting to steal.
Freshman Chris Mallon will add depth behind the dish. Mallon was named All-City as a senior for Kennedy High School after hitting .533 (the highest in the Mission Valley League in 24 years) with seven home runs and 47 RBI's during the regular season.
INFIELD: Juniors Oscar Sanay and Tyler Shryock return up the middle to start for the third consecutive season. Sanay, the second baseman, led CSUB in hitting (.312) for the second straight season. Sanay was second on the team in runs scored (25), stolen bases (7-of-8), and assists (147).
Shryock, the shortstop, hit. 276 with two home runs and 29 RBI's. He led CSUB in assists (148) and triples (4). Shryock tied for second on the team in RBI's with Kevin Younger.
With Brockmeyer behind the plate, a pair of freshmen, Chance Gusbeth and Nick Vehlewald, should contend for time at first base. Gusbeth was selected DML MVP and the Division 6 CIF SS Player of the Year as a senior for Desert Christian High School after hitting .562 with nine home runs and 40 RBI's. Gusbeth could also pitch for CSUB. Vehlewald hit .500 with nine home runs and 37 RBI's as a senior on the way to being named SEYL Player of the Year and first team Bakersfield Californian All-Area for Bakersfield's Garces High School.
Senior Dylan Christensen could also play first, but will likely serve as the Roadrunner designated hitter. A versatile player, Christensen appeared in 45 games as a junior, starting 36 at first base, left field, right field, and as the DH. He hit .244 with one home run and 18 RBI's. Christensen also pitched eight times, striking out two in 6.1 innings.
Freshman Mylz Jones has the inside track to the third baseman's job. Jones was selected All-League three times for Paraclete High School. He was chosen All-CIF Southern Section (Division 5) and All-State as a senior.
Freshman Randy Medellin should provide depth in the infield. Medellin played in the City-Southern Section All-Star game upon conclusion of senior season for Birmingham High School.
OUTFIELD: Senior Kevin Younger returns for his fourth season as the starter in left field. Younger charted a .285 batting average with two home runs and 29 RBI's. He started 52-of-54 appearances, scoring 29 runs and walking 13 times.
Sophomore Jordie Hein is the returning starter in right but will compete with sophomore Garrett Pierce for the centerfielder's slot. It appears that whoever wins the center job, the other will play right. Hein reset school record for most walks in a season with 36 as a rookie. He led the Roadrunners in walks, triples (5), and on-base percentage (.388) in 2012. Pierce is a good athlete which allowed him to play in 30 games as a freshman, starting 18 at third base, left field, centerfield, right field, and seven as the DH.
Junior Kris Cayton transfers to CSUB from LA Harbor College where he .313 as a sophomore.
SCHEDULE: The Roadrunners open the season strong by hosting Nebraska, USC, and Cal State Fullerton on opening weekend. CSUB plays 32 of 56 games at home. The first season of WAC play begins with a three-game set at Sacramento State Mar. 23. The first home WAC series is the following week when New Mexico State comes to Bakersfield.
