BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- The CSU Bakersfield baseball team's six-game win streak was snapped Tuesday night thanks in large part to the CSUN pitching staff. The 'Runners got a strong outing from senior pitcher James Barragan (Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS), but the Matadors shut out CSUB 5-0 behind solid pitching and defense.

“James pitched a good game,” said Bill Kernan, Head Coach of the Roadrunners. “When you have a close game like that, it's usually the team that gives something away that loses and that was us.”

Barragan rolled through several of his 6.1 innings pitched but got into trouble in the top of the sixth. Centerfielder Justin Toerner doubled down the line with one out before Barragan would get a second out with a ground ball. Yusuke Akitoshi singled to right field and it looked as if the Matadors would take a 1-0 lead, but Chance Gusbeth (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Desert Christian HS) gunned Toerner down at home to end the inning and keep the game tied at 0-0.

A leadoff single by Spencer O'Neil turned into two bases in the top of the seventh after the Bakersfield's right fielder misfielded the ball. Two wild pitches later, Barragan found himself down 1-0 and with Matadors on the corners and no outs. An RBI single by William Colantano gave CSUN a 2-0 lead. After loading the bases with just one out, Kernan pulled Barragan in favor of Garrett Nimmo (So., Temecula, Calif., Temecula Valley HS). The sophomore induced a 4-6-3 double play to get the 'Runners out of the inning with limited damage.

Nimmo got into trouble after two walks in the top of the ninth. Alec Daily (So., Temecula, Calif., Great Oak HS) came on to relieve and struggled as well, adding another walk to load the bases and giving up a three-RBI triple. Akitoshi's three-bagger allowed CSUN to take a comfortable 5-0 lead into the ninth inning while the shortstop collected his second hit of the game.

The 'Runners put a man on first in the ninth, but it was only their sixth baserunner of the game and turned out to be the last. CSUN's pitchers combined for nine innings, three hits, one walk, and two batters hit by pitches in the victory. Kernan was disappointed with the offensive output, but was impressed by CSUN's staff: “They threw their top guys and they were very good. I have to give them credit. I certainly would have liked to get more than three hits, but it was quality pitching.”

Barragan finished the game allowing seven hits, two runs (one earned), and three walks while striking out two Matadors. The senior's record fell to 1-2 on the season while CSUN's starter, Rayne Raven, improved to 3-1. The 'Runners broke their six-game winning streak and now have a 9-7 record as they head towards four more games this week.

“Riverside is always a very difficult place to play,” said Kernan. “They play better at home, so, it will be another good test.” CSUB will face UC Riverside (7-9) on Wednesday before heading to Las Cruces, N.M. to open Western Athletic Conference play against New Mexico State (1-12) this weekend.

~GoRunners.com~