BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—For the first time this season, the CSU Bakersfield baseball team plays a weekday game as the Roadrunners head to undefeated Fresno State Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. Corey Costelloe's pregame coverage begins on 1230 AM/98.1 FM ESPN Sports at 5:40 p.m.
Even with a one-year sabbatical in the series, CSU Bakersfield has played Fresno State more than other team since the program was established in 2009. The Roadrunners lead the Bulldogs 13-12 after the teams split a pair of contests during the 2014 season.
The Bulldogs are off to an 8-0 start after taking a four-game set from Youngstown State over the weekend. Brody Russell is the team's leading hitter (.421). Jake Stone has charted a team high nine RBI's while Aaron Aruda has hit the team's only two home runs. Edgar Gonzalez is the probable Fresno State starter. Gonzalez is 0-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two starts this season. In five innings, he has struck out five. Gonzalez will likely match up against Max Carter (0-0).
The Roadrunners improved to 4-2 by defeating defending Big East Champion St. John's in two of three games last weekend at Hardt Field. Carter leads the 'Runners in hitting (.450) and is tied for the team lead in RBI's with David Metzgar (7). Carter has a .577 on-base percentage and a .550 slugging percentage.
CSU Bakersfield, Division I baseball's youngest team, earned the program's 200th victory Feb. 27, 2016, when the Roadrunners defeated St. John's 10-4. CSUB is 201-200-1 since the 'Runners started play in time for the 2009 season. On the other hand, Fresno State won their 2,500th game last weekend against Youngstown State.
Sunday's 4-3, 11-inning victory over St. John's was the 24th time CSUB Bakersfield played an extra inning game in the program's 7+ year history. CSUB improved to 12-11-1 in extra-inning games with the victory.
The Roadrunners will return to the field this weekend at the University of Arizona Wildcat Classic. CSUB will play four games in Tucson, beginning Friday against Saint Mary's.
~www.GoRunners.com~
