BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—The CSU Bakersfield baseball team (22-15-1) opens a season long eight-game home stand Wednesday when the Roadrunners welcome Cal State Fullerton to Hardt Field for a 6 p.m. start.
This is the second of two meetings this season between the Roadrunners and the Titans. Cal State Fullerton took a 2-0 all-time series lead with an 11-0 victory Mar. 18 in Fullerton. The Titans dropped three of four games last week to nationally ranked opponents. Cal State Fullerton began last week with a 7-2 loss at No. 3 UCLA before dropping two decisions at No. 24 Maryland. The Titans ended the week with a 1-0, 10-inning victory over the Terps.
Cal State Fullerton is 20-18, going 10-11 since defeating the Roadrunners earlier this season. Josh Vargas (.343) is the team's leading hitter. Josh Estill (5) leads the squad in home runs. David Olmedo-Barrera (27) has the most RBI's on the Titans. The Titans have not determined a Wednesday night starter. Wednesday night will be a staff day for the 'Runners. Steven Gee (R., 4-2, 2.54) is expected to start and be 1-of-4 pitchers that will throw for CSUB.
The Roadrunners host WAC leader Seattle U (21-18) this weekend. Seattle U hosts Washington Tuesday before traveling to Bakersfield. The Redhawks are expected to send Will Dennis (L, 5-2, 2.08 ERA) to the hill to face Hayden Carter (R, 5-3, 3.05 ERA, Sr., San Diego, Calif., Vista HS) in Friday's 6 p.m. opener. On Friday, the first 50 CSUB students attending the game will receive a ticket to the CSUB Spring Barbeque.
The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. when the Redhawks should start Skyler Genger (R, 4-5, 3.29 ERA) against James Barragan (R, 5-3, 1.97 ERA). Genger is the WAC leader in strikeouts with 76 while Barragan is second with 64.
Saturday's game is an afternoon start to coincide with the Celebrate CSUB activities. Saturday's game is also the Greek Letters Game. Fans can vote on which chapter's Greek letters design they like best. The Greeks are decorating their chapter's letters that are four feet and will be on display around Hardt field for fans to vote.
The series wraps up Sunday at 12 p.m. when Seattle U's Tarik Skubal (L, 3-4, 3.57 ERA) pitches against Nick Rogowski (R, 3-3, 4.06, Sr., Woodbridge, Va., Cypress College). Sunday's game will feature mini helmet sundaes for kid's eighth grade and under and $1 hot dogs for all attending.
CSUB trails the Redhawks by 1.5 games in the WAC standings at the start of this week. Seattle U is 12-3 in league play. Grand Canyon (22-18) is a half-game back at 11-3, followed by CSUB at 10-4-1. If the season ended this week, the Roadrunners would be the No. 2 seed and get a first round by at WAC Tournament. Northern Colorado (9-6) is fourth followed by a three-way tie for fifth (8-7) between Sacramento State, North Dakota, and Utah Valley.
CSUB leads the all-time series against Seattle U 5-2. The teams split four games last season with the Roadrunners winning the final two including a 6-5 decision in the WAC Tournament. The Redhawks host Washington Tuesday before heading to Bakersfield.
Barragan was named WAC Pitcher of the Week for the second time Apr. 19. Barragan pitched a gem at Sacramento State Apr. 18. He allowed just one hit in a complete game shutout win. Barragan struck out 10 batters and walked four as the Roadrunners earned a series-clinching win over the defending WAC champion Hornets. It was his second complete game in his last three starts as he earned his first career shutout.
Barragan began the week of Apr. 20 16th in Division I in complete games (3), 34th in hits allowed per nine innings (6.22), 52nd in ERA (1.97), 57th in strikeouts (64), and 75th in strikeouts per nine innings (9.71).
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