IRVINE, Calif.--Despite outhitting UC Irvine, Bakersfield dropped a 3-2 decision to the Anteaters Wednesday night. The 'Runners recorded seven hits compared to six for UCI.

UC Irvine scored a run in each of the first three innings. A Chance Gusbeth (So., Lancaster, Calif., Deserth Christian HS) RBI in the third broke the seal for the 'Runners. Garrett Pierce (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Centennial HS) plated Gusbeth in the top of the sixth to draw CSUB within one.

The Roadrunners mounted a charge in the top of the seventh. Pinch hitter Nick Vehlewald (So., Bakersfield, Calif., Garces HS) walked to lead off the inning. Jordie Hein (Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapparal HS) attempted to bunt Vehlewald up to second, but Vehlewald was thrown out at second. Sam Moore, the third UC Irvine pitcher of the night came on in relief to face Oscar Sanay (Sr., Chula Vista, Calif., Bonita Vista HS). With the count 3-2 on Sanay, Hein was picked off by Moore. Sanay struck out to end the inning.

CSUB again threatened in the eighth. David Metzgar (Fr., Lancaster, Calif., Paraclete HS) led off the inning with a single, but was thrown out on Gusbeth's grounder to second. Soloman Williams (Jr., Long Beach, Calif., Wilson HS) flied out to right for the second out. Logan Trowbridge (Jr., Santa Cruz, Calif., College of San Mateo) popped out to second for the final out of the frame.

Pierce and Metzgar each charted two hits to pace the 'Runners. Grant Palmer led UC Irvine as he went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Jerry McClanahan drove in the other two runs for the Anteaters.

Bakersfield returns home to host 2013 NCAA Tournament qualifier Towson this weekend at Hardt Field. The three game series begins Friday night at 6 p.m.

~www.GoRunners.com~