BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—CSU Bakersfield returned to dual competition by defeating Brown 24-13 Saturday night in the Icardo Center.

The Bears' (0-2) Billy Watterson opened the dual with a 6-4 victory over Sergio Mendez (So., Arleta, Calif., San Fernando HS) Ian Nickell (R-Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) tied the dual for the Roadrunners (3-2) when he defeated Zeke Salvo by a 7-1 count.

Timmy Box (R-Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) pushed the 'Runner advantage to four with a major decision (14-5) over Anthony Finocchiaro. Coleman Hammond (R-Fr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) shut out William McDonald 3-0 at 149 pounds.

Justin Staudenmayer earned a major decision, 11-3, over Spencer Hill (R-Sr., Clovis, Calif., Fresno City College) in the 157-pound bout. Adam Fierro (R-Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) posted a dominate performance at 165 pounds. Fierro held over five minutes of riding time against LJ Remillard on his way to earning a technical fall, 18-3, at the conclusion of the third period.

“Fierro is focused right now,” said CSUB head coach Mike Mendoza. “He came out to dominate and wrestle hard to meet the goals he has set for himself.”

Bryce Hammond (R-Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) earned a 3-1 decision against Ricky McDonald at 174 pounds.  Brown's returning All-American, Ophir Bernstein defeated Sean Pollock (R-Sr., Oceanside, Calif.., Rancho Buena Vista HS) 5-3 in overtime to win the 184-pound match. Matt Williams (R-Fr., Apple Valley, Calif., Sultana HS) clinched the dual for CSUB when he pinned Gus Marker at 5:11 of the 197-pound bout. The Bears' Sebastien Levin defeated Alex Encarnarcion-Strand 9-5 at heavyweight to conclude the dual.

“I thought we came out a little more aggressive than normal which was good,” Mendoza said. “We're winding down the regular season and there are not many matches left.  Guys still have to figure out how to wrestle their match with their skillset.”

CSUB is at Oregon State for a Pac-12 dual next Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. The dual will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks (check your local provider for the channel number). The Roadrunners are at Arizona State next Sunday for a league meet beginning at 5 p.m. (MST). The weekend concludes at Grand Canyon at 8 p.m. (MST) on Sunday.

The 'Runners return home Jan. 25 when CSUB hosts San Francisco State at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at Valitix.com

~www.GoRunners.com~

CSU Bakersfield 24, Brown 13

125         Billy Watterson (Brown) def. Sergio Mendez, 6-4

133         Ian Nickell (CSUB) def. Zeke Salvo, 7-1

141         Timmy Box (CSUB) def. Anthony Finocchiaro, 14-5

149         Coleman Hammond (CSUB) def. William McDonald, 3-0

157         Justin Staudenmayer (Brown) def. Spencer Hill, 11-3

165         Adam Fierro (CSUB) def. LJ Remillard by tech. fall @7:00 (18-3)

174         Bryce Hammond (CSUB) def. Ricky McDonald, 3-1

184         Ophir Bernstein (Brown) def. Sean Pollock, 5-3 (SV)

197         Matt Williams (CSUB) def. Gus Marker by pin, @5:51

285         Sebastien Levin (Brown) def. Alex Encarnarcion-Strand, 9-5