BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—CSU Bakersfield scored eight runs with two outs as the Roadrunners earned their sixth consecutive victory, 15-3, over Texas-Pan American Saturday night.

Ryan Grotjohn's (So., Cave Creek, Ariz., Brophy College Prep) two-run home run highlighted a three-run CSUB first inning.  The Roadrunners increased the lead to 4-0 on a two-out Jordie Hein (Sr., Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapparal HS) RBI single. Hein scored on a Broncs' error later in the inning.

Mylz Jones' (Jr., Palmdale, Calif., Paraclete HS) two-out RBI single in the third created a 6-0 lead for the Roadrunners.  Hein's single later in the third drove in two for an eight-run advantage.  CSUB scored for the first time without two outs on the board in the fourth when the Roadrunners plated five before the first out was recorded. Jones' triple with the bases loaded drove in three to power the rally.

Kris Cayton (R-Sr., Manhattan Beach, Calif., LA Harbor College) posted a two-RBI double in the fifth for a 15-0 CSUB lead. UTPA got on the board with two outs in the top of the sixth when Jesus Garcia singled in Isaac Gonzalez. The Broncs scored for the second time on a James Barragan (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS) wild pitch.  UTPA scored once in the seventh.

Jones was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a career high four RBI's. Hein was 2-for-2 with three RBI's and two runs. Grotjohn went 2-for-2 with his home run, three runs scored, and two RBI's. Max Carter (So., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS) was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a RBI. Barragan struck out six in six innings of work. Barragan and Nick Dermenjian (Sr., Fair Oaks, Calif., American River College) combined for a five-hitter.  Garcia had two of the UTPA hits.

“James has gotten better as the year has moved along,” said CSUB head coach Bill Kernen. “He's been the same way in games; his stuff gets better as the game goes on. He's been dominant over his last three starts and has earned his spot in the weekend rotation.”

The 'Runners tied a season high with their sixth straight victory. On the current CSUB winning streak, the Roadrunners have outscored their opponents 61-5.  

The series between the Roadrunners (18-14-1, 6-3-1 WAC) and UTPA (12-20, 0-10 WAC) concludes Sunday. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com. If you can't make it to Hardt Field, you can watch the game on Bakersfield.com.

“It's tough to sweep someone, but we will give it our best shot tomorrow,” Kernen said.

~GoRunners.com~