SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Hayden Carter was on the mound when the Sacramento State Hornets knocked the Roadrunners out of the 2014 Western Athletic Conference Tournament, ending their season. Friday Carter made the most of his chance at redemption throwing his third complete game in as many appearances as the CSUB Roadrunners edged Sacramento State 1-0 in a pitcher's duel at John Smith Field.

Carter showed plenty of excitement after the third out was recorded in the bottom of the ninth.

“I was pitching the game they knocked us out of the tournament so I sort of wanted some revenge,” he said. “Plus it was a huge game, these guys were the conference champion last year so it's huge to get the first win.”

Carter's victory, the eighth consecutive for the Roadrunners, wasn't without plenty of defensive help. That help included tremendous outfield catches from Ryan Grotjon, Jordie Hein and Chance Gusbeth, all of which took away potential extra-base hits for the Hornets. Carter, who recorded a slew of ground ball outs in his last complete game, only retired seven on the ground Friday, 17 others were retired with pop outs.

Carter received some help in the infield as well. Max Carter, playing at first base Friday, gloved two would-be base hits on hard-hit balls in the sixth inning with a runner on base and again in the ninth in the same situation.

Fittingly Hayden Carter retired the final out of the game on a ball hit back his direction and casually sent the underhand throw to first to complete the 113-pitch complete game effort.

“Anytime you can get more than one defensive gem it definitely helps me out,” Carter said. “It helps me be more confident in my pitches, I don't have to nibble to try and strike guys out.”

The Roadrunners lone run came in the top of the second inning as CSUB recorded three straight singles off Sacramento State pitcher Brennan Leitao. Grotjohn and Soloman Williams singled with one out to left field before Chance Gusbeth singled to score Grotjohn from second. The Hornets' relay throw beat Grotjohn to the plate but it was too high for catcher Gunner Pollman to apply the tag before Grotjohn scored.

“We knew Leitao would be tough, he's been one of the best pitchers in the league the last two years and you're not going to get many runs off of him,” said head coach Bill Kernen. “I would love to get more than one but we knew it would be that way.”

Leitao allowed one run on five hits while striking out seven in the loss. Carter allowed just five hits as well, improving to 5-3 on the season.

Kernen credited his pitching and defense for the 'Runners win; it marks the first time since 2011 the 'Runners have won eight straight.

“It was a combination of Hayden's dominance and our defense making great plays when he did have a ball hit hard,” Kernen said. “Championship teams, which we talk about being but we're not yet; they win all kinds of games with all kinds of different scores. They don't always win 10-1 or score six or seven runs every game, sometimes they win 1-0.”

The Roadrunners continue the series Saturday afternoon at 1 P.M. at John Smith Field. The Roadrunners will send James Barragan to the mound. You can listen to that game on 1230 ESPN in Bakersfield and online HERE>>. Pregame coverage begins at 12:45.