BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Northern Kentucky took advantage of a pair of CSU Bakersfield errors to score five unearned runs in the fourth inning as the Norse defeated the Roadrunners 8-2 Saturday afternoon.

Kyle Colletta gave Northern Kentucky its first lead of the weekend with a two out, two-RBI single in the top of the second.  With one out in the fourth and Conor Ledger on first, Colletta hit a grounder to CSUB shortstop Mylz Jones (Jr., Palmdale, Calif., Paraclete HS) who threw the ball wide of first base. A Steven Gee (So., Taft, Calif., Taft Union HS) wild pitch advanced Colletta to third

CSUB played the infield in against Caleb Lonkard who hit a line to Jones. Jones decided to come home, but over threw catcher Ross Hough (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Central Arizona College) which allowed both runners to score. Lonkard advanced to second. Leadoff hitter Quint Heady walked to bring up Cole Bauml who flew out to left, as Lonkard moved to third. A Logan Spurlin infield single plated Lonkard. Logan Spurlin doubled to left to drive in Spurlin and Heady for the final runs of the inning.

“If Mylz throws the guy out at the plate, they don't score five runs,” said CSUB head coach Bill Kernen.

CSUB got on the board in the seventh on a NKU error by Spurling who was attempting to throw out Cody White (So., Hemet, Calif., Hemet HS) on the back half of a double steal. Logan Trowbridge (Sr., Santa Cruz, Calif., College of San Mateo) scored on the play. Spurlin doubled in the eighth to drive Bauml for the eighth Norse run. Mahlik Jones (So., Palmdale, Calif., Paraclete HS) singled in Joey Sanchez (So., Pico Rivera, Calif., El Rancho HS) for the second CSUB run in the bottom of the eighth.

Evan Korson came on in relief of an ill Wendell Wright in the third and pitched four shutout innings to earn the win. Justin Watts got the save as he tossed the final three innings, giving up three hits.  The three NKU pitchers scattered seven hits. Bauml was 3-for-5 with three doubles, raising his season total to nine. Ledger was also 3-for-5. Colletta and Spurlin had two hits.

“Bauml is a good hitter,” Kernen said. “He's hard to get out. We didn't show up and play today,” said Kernen. “We didn't hit, we didn't play defense, and didn't hit. It's inexplicable. ”

CSUB-Northern Kentucky series concludes Sunday at 12 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.

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