BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Roadrunner baseball team played a doubleheader against UC Riverside on Saturday thanks to Friday's rain out. The Highlanders took two victories over the Roadrunners to open the three-game series.

“It is a work in progress for us to figure out how we're going to stop the bleeding in the final three innings,” said Bob Macaluso, Head Coach of the 'Runners. “The starters have given us a chance to win. We gave up the big inning and we have to find a guy out of the bullpen. Who that's going to be, we're trying to figure out.”

Macaluso went on to give high praises to his defense on Saturday: “We played well on defense. Chance's catch was great, spectacular. Max's catch was outstanding. We made double plays and I think we only had one error on the day.”

Game 1

The Roadrunners got out to a quick start with a first-inning run. After getting hit by a pitch, lead-off batter Dustin Frailey stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. A second wild pitch would give the 'Runners a 1-0 lead as Frailey came around to score. Christian Deaton and David Metzgar both walked while Deaton ended up at third after Max Carter's sacrifice bunt. Cody White sent a high fly ball to left field which was deep enough for a sacrifice RBI to plate Deaton, giving CSUB a 2-0 lead with no hits in the inning.

The Highlanders answered right back with a run of their own in the top of the second. A lead-off walk followed by back-to-back singles brought Drake Zarate around to score. Another walk by CSUB's starter, Steven Gee, loaded the bases with two outs, but a line out to second base ended the threat with CSUB leading 2-1.

CSUB extended its lead to two runs in the bottom half of the second inning. Ryan Grotjohn doubled down the left field line and moved to third on Mahlik Jones' bunt single. There was a close play at the plate, but Grotjohn slid safely under the tag as Drew Seelman's sacrifice fly put the 'Runners ahead 3-1.

After four quiet innings, the Highlanders exploded for four runs off of four hits in the top of the seventh inning. Back-to-back doubles capped the scoring as UCR took a 5-3 lead. Riverside added two more runs in the top of the eighth, extending the lead to four runs.

The 'Runners rallied in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases thanks to singles by Grotjohn and Seelman sandwiched between a walk by Junior Felix. The Highlanders finally closed the door with two fly balls, earning a 7-3 victory.

Gee took the loss after pitching 6.1 innings while allowing five runs on seven hits. Carter went 2-for-2 in the game while reaching base on a hit by pitch and moving a runner over with a sacrifice bunt in the first inning. Grotjohn was 2-for-4 with his first double of the season. Riverside's second pitcher of the game, Angel Landazuri, earned the win after throwing seven-complete with only four hits and one run allowed.

Game 2

The Highlanders and 'Runners exchanged a run in each team's half of the first inning. UCR got on the board when lead-off batter Vince Fernandez singled and eventually came around to score. CSUB answered back with a run of its own on Carter's sacrifice fly, which scored Seelman.

A two-out triple by Colby Schultz plated a second run for the Highlanders. His three bagger drove in Cameron Haskell and gave UCR a 2-1 advantage through one and a half innings.

A controversial call at the plate resulted in another run scored for UCR. A fly ball to deep right was caught by Chance Gusbeth. The senior outfielder, known for a strong arm, fired a laser to home created a very close play, but the umpire deemed the tag late as the Highlanders extended their lead to 3-1.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the fifth, Haskell sent a screaming line drive towards the right side hole. Carter made a diving catch on the play, saving at least two runs for starter Andrew Hansen.

UC Riverside exploded for five runs thanks to five consecutive hits in the top of the sixth. The Highlander outburst helped UCR take an 8-1 lead. CSUB got one run back in the bottom of the seventh when Jones' RBI single drove in Christian Deaton, who pinch hit earlier in the inning in the DH spot.

A pair of RBI doubles by Gusbeth and Deaton helped CSUB plate two runs in the bottom of the seventh. CSUB's right fielder and designated hitter helped the 'Runners cut the deficit down as the scored moved to 8-4 heading into the final inning.

Metzgar and Carter each singled with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The 'Runner rally came up short as UC Riverside recorded the final out to clinch the 8-4 victory and the three-game series.

Hansen took the loss in the game, falling to 1-2 on the season after giving up nine hits and four runs over 5.1 innings. Garrett Nimmo pitched the final 3.2 innings, giving up only one hit and two walks while holding the Highlanders scoreless.

The Roadrunners (4-10) will return to Hardt Field on Sunday for one final game against UC Riverside. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. on Daylight Saving Time day.

~GoRunners.com~