BAKERSFIELD, Calif.— Dylan Christensen (Sr., Rancho Santa
Margarita HS) posted two hits, drove in two runs and earned his second save of
the season as CSU Bakersfield defeated LIU Brooklyn 5-3 Friday night.
For the sixth time in nine games, the Roadrunners trailed
after the top of the first. The Blackbirds broke the seal in the opening inning
when Kevin Needham singled in Pete Leonello. Garrett Pierce (So., Bakersfield,
Calif., Centennial HS) tied the score in the second when he tripled in Cael
Brockmeyer (Jr., Vineyard Haven, Mass., Avon Old Farms HS).
An RBI single from Chance Gusbeth (Fr., Lancaster, Calif., Desert
Christian HS) plated Pierce for CSUB's firs t lead of the night. Christensen extended
the lead to three with a two-RBI double later in the frame. The Blackbirds put the first two on in the top
of the third, but Roadrunner pitcher Jeff McKenzie (Sr., El Dorado Hills,
Calif., San Joaquin Delta College) picked both runners off to quiet the
Blackbirds.
A Kevin Needham single scored John Ziznewski in the top of
the sixth, but McKenzie got Albert Faz to ground into a double play to end the
threat. The Blackbirds pushed runners to second and third with one out in the
top of the eight. CSUB responded by bringing in Christensen, the Roadrunners'
closer for a five-out save attempt.
The 5-11 righty faced Ziznewski, LIU's No. 3 batter to begin
his stint. Ziznewski grounded out to short for out No. 2, but he was able to
drive in Kyle DeMarco for a 4-3 CSUB lead. Needham, the cleanup batter, struck
out looking for the third out.
After giving up the runs in the fourth, Blackbirds' starter Justin
Topa retired 16 in a row heading into the CSUB eighth when leadoff hitter
Jordie Hein (So., Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapparal HS) doubled to left. Christenen beat
out a bunt single to third, Hein moved to third and came home on a Albert Faz
throwing error to move the score to 5-3.
Christensen struck out the first two batters of the ninth
and got a ground out to second to end the game for the save. Needham and
Leonello had two hits for the Blackbirds. McKenzie improved to 2-1 as he struck
out five in six innings. Topa would strike out eight.
The teams meet again Saturday night at 6 p.m.
~www.GoRunners.com~
