GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas— Frank Martinez (Sr., Riverside, Calif., East LA College) recorded a career high four RBI's as Bakersfield (36-21) defeated San Jose State (17-39) 11-3 in the first game of Pool “A” action in the 2013 Western Athletic Conference Tournament.
Dylan Christensen (Sr., Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Saddleback College) and Mylz Jones (Fr., Palmdale, Calif., Paraclete HS) recorded RBI's in the bottom of the first to get the 'Runners on the board.
With CSUB leading 2-0 in the top of the second, the Spartans threatened, but the 'Runners turned the second triple play (first was Apr. 15, 2012 at UC Riverside) in school history when Cael Brockmeyer (Jr., Vineyard Haven, Mass., Avon Old Farms HS) nabbed a Kalei Contrades line drive at first, tagged the bag and threw down to Tyler Shryock (Jr., Tehachapi, Calif., Desert Christian HS) for the third out.
Bakersfield received RBI's from Oscar Sanay (Jr., Chula Vista, Calif., Bonita Vista HS) and Shryock to take 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second. San Jose State cut the lead to one in the top of the fifth when Dane Lund cleared the bases with a double down the left field line. CSUB responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning highlighted by a two-RBI single from Martinez. Martinez reset his career high with two more RBI's in the bottom of the seventh.
Jeff McKeznie (Sr., El Dorado Hills, Calif., San Joaquin College), the 2013 WAC Pitcher of the Year, recorded his sixth completed game of the season. McKenzie retired 11 in a row at one point as he struck out three without walking a batter. He threw 124 pitches.
Sanay went 3-for-4 with two RBI's and two runs scored while Shryock went 2-for-5.
Bakersfield plays the fifth seed, Sacramento State, at 5 p.m. (PDT) in the second game of pool play Thursday night.
NOTE-McKenzie was named 1-of-46 semifinalists for the inaugural Gregg Olson Award, presented by Toolshed Sports, the award which recognizes college baseball's "Breakout Player of the Year". Wednesday morning.
The Gregg Olson Award is named after former Auburn Tiger star pitcher Gregg Olson, who became one of the top collegiate players in the nation after an initial season filled with only mixed success. Olson went on to become a two-time All American, first round draft pick, American League Rookie of the Year and MLB All Star. Like Olson, these players have elevated their game to an elite level and in many instances their team has mirrored their success as a direct result. Initial nominations were made by sports information/media contacts and the semifinalists were determined by made by an independent panel. A list of finalists is scheduled to be announced on Monday, June 3 in conjunction with the conclusion of NCAA Regional play.
The winner of the 2013 Gregg Olson Award will be named in Omaha, Neb. during the College World Series which is to be held this season at TD Ameritrade Park from June
15-June 25/26 2013.
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