BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—CSU Bakersfield swept Northern Kentucky in a Friday doubleheader to open the four-game baseball series between the two schools. David Metzgar (So., Lancaster, Calif., Paraclete HS) went 2-for-4 with a career high four RBI's as the Roadrunners defeated the Norse 11-3 in the opener.

NKU threatened the 'Runners in each of the first four innings but the CSUB recorded four double plays to tie the school record and turn back the Norse. CSUB previously turned four double plays on two occasions, most recently on Feb. 22, 2014 against Towson. The Roadrunners scored twice in the first with Metzgar's double in the second clearing the bases in the second for a six-run advantage.

CSU Bakersfield scored twice in the fourth and three times in the sixth. Northern Kentucky posted runs in the fifth, seventh, and ninth innings.  Both teams recorded 11 hits, but NKU left 11 on base compared to just five for the 'Runners.  

Hayden Carter (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Vista HS) picked up the win for CSUB, scattering nine hits in seven innings. Freshman Jarrett Veiga (Hemet, Calif., Tahquitz HS) pitched a 1-2-3 eighth while AJ Monarrez (R-Jr.., Hawthorne, Calif., Glendale College) completed the ninth for the Roadrunners.

Soloman Williams (Sr., Long Beach, Calif., Golden West College) was 2-for-5 and drove in three runs for CSUB. Garrett Pierce (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Centennial HS) went 2-for-3 and had an RBI. Jordie Hein (Sr., Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapparal HS) drove in two runs. NKU was led by Trey Ganns who went 3-for-4.

CSU Bakersfield completed the sweep with a 10-1 victory in the night cap. CSUB pitchers James Barragan (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS), Max Carter (So., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS), and Nick Dermenjian (Sr., Fair Oaks, Calif., American River College) combined on a four-hitter. Barragan struck out six in six innings of work before giving way to Carter who struck out four in two innings. Dermenjian struck out one batter and needed only nine pitches to retire NKU in order in the ninth.  The 'Runner trio did not allow a hit over the final three innings.

“I felt that our pitchers threw strikes, were down in the zone, and didn't give anything away,” said CSUB head coach Bill Kernen. “Barragan had some good stuff and that's the best he's looked in a while. Max Carter had really good stuff tonight.”

Williams broke a scoreless tie in the fifth with an opposite field single that scored Metzgar. Back to back Norse errors led to two more CSUB runs. A Chance Gusbeth (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Desert Christian HS) sacrifice fly made it 4-0.

Ganns broke the seal for the Norse in the top of the sixth with a two-out RBI single. Two RBI's from both Williams and Gusbeth in the bottom of the sixth pushed the lead out to seven. NKU's fifth error of the game, with two outs, led to CSUB's ninth run. Logan Trowbridge's (Sr., Santa Cruz, Calif., College of San Mateo HS) second hit of the game resulted in an RBI in the eight to put the 'Runners back into double-digits at 10-1.

Williams was 3-for-4 with three RBI's. Gusbeth also registered three RBI's. Metzgar and Jones both had two hits. Ganns again led NKU as he tallied two hits.

“We swung it better today,” Kernen said. “They did give us some things that we were able to take advantage of. I think this is more indicative of what this team is going to be like going forward. Our objective right now is to give everybody a chance and develop our team.”

CSUB-Northern Kentucky series continues Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.

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