CHICAGO—Chicago State scored on a CSU Bakersfield error with two outs in the bottom of the 13th inning to earn a 5-4 victory over the Roadrunners Thursday night.

“Today was an extremely disappointing performance,” said CSUB head coach Bill Kernen.

Chase Matheson reached on an infield single to get the Chicago State 13th underway. Andy Gertonson attempted to put down a sacrifice bunt. CSUB catcher Logan Trowbridge (Sr., Santa Cruz, Calif., College of San Mateo) fielded the ball and tried to throw Matheson out at second. The throw pulled Metzgar off the base which allowed both runners to reach base safely.

Jordan Stroschein's first two attempts at a sac bunt were unsuccessful. With the count 1-2, he flew out to right, but the ball was too shallow for either runner to advance. Quinton Alexander grounded to Mylz Jones (Jr., Palmdale, Calif., Paraclete HS) at shortstop. Jones' only play was to third and he successfully threw to his brother Mahlik Jones (So., Palmdale, Calif., Paraclete HS) for the second out. On the first pitch of the count, Evan Davis hit a ball back to Roadrunner pitcher Garrett Nimmo (So., Temecula, Calif., Temecula Valley HS). Nimmo's throw went wide of the base allowing Gertonson to score from second.

The Roadrunners led 2-0 after two innings Chicago State scored two in the bottom of the third to tie the game. CSUB scored a run in the seventh and added a tally in the eighth. The Cougars tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth.

The loss drops the Roadrunners into fourth place in the WAC, one spot out of a first round bye in next week's WAC Tournament. Sacramento State (30-23, 16-9 WAC) moved past CSUB into third place in the conference Thursday when the Hornets defeated league leader Grand Canyon (30-22, 17-7 WAC) 5-2. Second place Seattle U (27-25, 17-8 WAC) defeated eighth place Northern Colorado (16-28, 12-13 WAC) 14-9 in other daytime conference action on Thursday.

“This was probably one of the worst games we've played in the history of the program given the circumstances,” said CSUB head coach Bill Kernen. “If fact, given the circumstances, it might be the worst game we've ever played in the history of the program. I know this is not who we are, but it does put us in a position where we need a major reversal back to our earlier form to have a chance to compete successfully in the WAC Tournament next week.”

Davis, Mattingly Romanin, and Cody Freund all posted two hits for Chicago State. Jordie Hein (Sr., Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapparal HS) went 2-for-4 with an RBI to lead CSUB. Trowbridge also was 2-for-4. Chance Gusbeth (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Desert Christian HS) added two hits for the Roadrunners.

The series continues Friday between CSUB (30-21-1, 15-9-1 WAC) and Chicago State (13-38-1, 6-17-1 WAC) with first pitch set for 3 p.m. (CDT).

~GoRunners.com~