Box Score LAS CRUCES, N.M..--The CSU Bakersfield baseball team opened the Western Athletic Conference portion of the 2015 schedule by defeating New Mexico State 13-3 Friday night.
“Tonight we played very well in all three aspects of the game,” said CSUB head coach Bill Kernen. “We strive for that every day, but this is possibly the first time we have done it this well this year.”
The Roadrunners jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first. Mylz Jones (Jr., Palmdale, Calif., Paraclete HS) smacked a two-RBI single that was followed by a Garrett Pierce (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Centennial HS) RBI single.
Chance Gusbeth (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Desert Christian HS) hit a three-run home run in the top of the fifth to double the Roadrunner output. Cody White (So., Hemet, Calif., Hemet HS) added an RBI single later in the inning.
New Mexico State (1-15) scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. David Metzgar (So., Lancaster, Calif., Paraclete HS) and Soloman Williams (Sr., Long Beach, Calif., Golden West College) both recorded RBI's in the top of the sixth to push the lead to 9-2. An Aggies' error later in the sixth allowed the 10th CSUB run to score.
CSUB (11-7) scored three times in the top of the seventh to record the 10-run margin that proved to be enough to invoke the WAC mercy rule. The Aggies got one in the bottom of the seventh for the final 13-3 score.
Pierce was the Roadrunner leading hitter as he went 3-for-4. Metzgar posted two hits and four runs. Metzgar became the eighth 'Runner to score at least four runs in a game. The school record is five which was recorded by Kevin Younger against Arizona on May 9, 2010. Jordie Hein (Sr., Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapparal HS) and Jones both had two hits. Williams tallied two RBI's.
Roadrunner starter Hayden Carter (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Vista HS) posted his second consecutive complete game victory. Carter scattered seven hits and struck out four. Joseph Koerper went 2-for-3 for New Mexico State.
“We are simply playing well as a team right now and our job is to keep that rolling from game to game,” Kernen said.”
The series continues Saturday when the teams meet at 1 p.m. (MDT). The game will be available on ESPN3.com or the Watch ESPN app. The Roadrunners return home after a nine-game road trip Mar. 27 when CSUB opens a WAC series against Utah Valley. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.
~www.GoRunners.com~
