SACRAMENTO, Calif. - James Barragan learned watching his teammate Hayden Carter's dominant performance Friday that the slider would be his best option in his Saturday start at Sacramento State. Barragan wasn't mistaken as his slider and several other pitches were on point as he tossed a complete-game one-hitter as the CSUB Roadrunners blanked the Hornets 5-0.

It was the third complete game in Western Athletic Conference play for Barragan who also struck out 10 while leading the Roadrunners (22-14-1, 10-3-1 WAC) to their ninth straight win.

“I didn't feel like I had my best fastball but since my slider was getting over the plate, I was doing fine,” Barragan said. “I learned from watching yesterday that when Hayden threw them sliders they weren't doing well so I just kept backing up my slider and they were fishing.”

Barragan's lone hit was a leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth inning by Chris Lewis. He walked four hitters in the ballgame and was able to pitch out a couple scoring threats by the Hornets by forcing double-plays.

“James was very dominant,” said CSUB head coach Bill Kernen. “The way you know he was dominant is because yesterday Hayden pitched a great game but we had to make some really great plays to save him a few times and today we didn't need any.”

“If he catches that ball up the middle it's a no-hitter. It's a big-time performance.”

The Roadrunners jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning after singles by Jordie Hein and David Metzgar; Metzgar also stole second with one out before Max Carter singled to center field scoring both baserunners. Bakersfield added two more runs in the fourth inning after Ryan Grotjohn led off with a solo homerun, his third of the season and second in as many weeks. The Roadrunners then added one more in the inning when a Hein infield single scored Soloman Williams from third base.

Grotjohn continued his solid series adding another RBI single in the seventh, scoring Metzgar, who had reached base on an infield single. Metzgar and Hein each had three hits in the game, Grotjohn was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.

“That's why we had to put him (Grotjohn) in left field eventually because we had to keep him in the lineup,” Kernen said.  “He's done well offensively all year, he can really hit.”

It marked the first time since the 2013 season that CSUB has shutout an opponent in back-to-back games. The last time occurred when they shutout Northern Colorado in the series' first two games at Hardt Field.

The Roadrunners winning streak is now at nine games, they will look to match their longest winning streak in program history Sunday when they conclude the series at Sacramento State. First pitch is scheduled for Noon. Coverage of the game will begin at 11:45 a.m. on 1230 ESPN.

~www.GoRunners.com~