BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—James Barragan (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS) tossed a complete game six-hitter as CSU Bakersfield defeated Utah Valley 5-2 to even up a Western Athletic Conference baseball series Saturday night.

“When you complete a game you started, it is something special,” Barragan said. “It's unlike any other feeling as a pitcher.”

The Roadrunners sped to a 3-0 lead in the second on a RBI's from Christian Deaton (Fr., Bakersfield, Calif., Frontier HS) and Ross Hough (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Central Arizona College). A UVU wild pitch allowed Chance Gusbeth (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Desert Christian HS) to score from third for the third CSUB run of the inning.

Utah Valley recorded three straight hits with two outs in the top of the fourth which resulted in a two-RBI double for Grayson Bogden and a 3-2 game. Jordan Schlehuber walked to give the Wolverines runners on the corners. Zac Fuller was up with a 1-1 count when Hough, the CSUB catcher, picked off Schlehuber at first to get the 'Runners out of the inning.

Soloman Williams (Sr., Long Beach, Calif., Golden West College) recorded his third hit of the night, a two out double that scored two for CSUB in the bottom of the fourth.  UVU put runners on the corners again in the top of the fifth with one out, but Barragan worked out of the jam, getting a pair of outs to maintain the three-run lead.

After giving up his fifth and final walk of the night to start the eighth, Barragan retired the final six Wolverines he faced. Barragan was one off his career high as he struck out seven. Barragan threw 152 pitches, 102 for strikes. Barragan has struck out 15 in his last two starts.

“I don't (let our pitchers throw that many pitches) very often,” said CSUB head coach Bill Kernen. “This will probably be the only time this year that I let him go past 130. His effort tonight speaks to his stamina and determination on the mound.”

Moon and Bogden combined for four of the six UVU hits. Williams was 3-for-4 with a walk. Gusbeth, Jordie Hein (Sr., Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapparal HS), and Ryan Grotjohn (So., Cave Creek, Ariz., Brophy College Prep) each had two hits. CSUB would outhit Utah Valley 14-6, but stranded 15 baserunners in the game. The Roadrunners have left 24 on base through the first two games of the series.

“We had some opportunities, but we haven't been able to score,” Kernen said.  “That's still an issue. You want to try and get the lead over four. It concerns me. I'm waiting for this team to break out.”

CSUB (13-13-1, 2-2-1 WAC) concludes the series against Utah Valley (6-19, 2-3 WAC) on Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.

“If you want to be a conference champion you can't lose a series at home,” Kernen said. “It's very important to win our home series going forward.”

~www.GoRunners.com~