MESA, Ariz.—Sophomore Steven Gee (Taft, Calif., Taft Union HS) tossed a complete game four-hitter as CSU Bakersfield shutout Sacramento State (33-27) 4-0 in a Western Athletic Conference Tournament elimination game Saturday afternoon at Hohokam Stadium.

Gee struck out two and walked two as he faced 32 batters, five over the minimum.  Gee needed 114 pitches (75 for strikes) to record his first collegiate complete game and first collegiate shutout.

“Steven has been pitching the best on our staff right now,” said CSUB head coach Bill Kernen.

“I just made pitches,” Gee said. “I have a great catcher (Logan Trowbridge) who helped me out a lot. We knew that we either played good or we would go home. ”

Max Carter's (So., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS) fielder's choice in the bottom of the first scored Joey Sanchez (So., Pico Rivera, Calif., El Rancho HS) to give CSUB an early lead. After putting the first two on base to begin the bottom of the third, the Roadrunners scored on a Justin Dillon wild pitch with one out for a 2-0 advantage.

The Hornets threatened in the fourth when the first two batters reached bases. Chris Lewis flew out before Gee induced Brandon Hunley into hitting into a 6-4-3 double play to conclude the frame. Taking advantage of a two-out Scotty Burham error at short, CSUB scored one in the bottom of the fifth.  

With two outs in the seventh, David Metzgar (So., Lancaster, Calif., Paraclete HS) doubled in Chance Gusbeth (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Desert Christian HS) to push the lead to four.  Bronson Grubbs walked to open the Sac State eighth. Nathan Lukes' grounder went to second where Metzgar threw out Grubbs for an out. Grubbs slid past second, which awarded CSUB a double play. Burcham grounded out to second to conclude the inning. Gee retired the Hornets in order in the ninth to secure the victory.

“We were just a little bit better than (Sacramento state starting pitcher Justin) Dillon,” Kernen said. “I was a little disappointed that we left runners in scoring position a couple of times. Four is never enough in college baseball. We did enough to win.”

Gusbeth went 3-for-3 to lead the Roadrunners. Metzgar earned his team leading 40th RBI as he was 2-for-3.

The Roadrunners (34-22-1) advanced to the first WAC Tournament championship game against Seattle U (31-25) which is set for 7 p.m.

All of the games will be seen on the WAC Digital Network. All of the CSUB games can be heard on 1230 ESPN.

~www.GoRunners.com~