TUCSON, Ariz.—Northwestern State defeated CSU Bakersfield 9-7 in the final game of the University of Arizona Wildcat Invitational Sunday morning at Hi Corbett Field.

CSUB, the visiting team, jumped out to a 5-0 lead as the first seven batters of the inning reached base. The Roadrunners would bat around as Max Carter (2), Nick Vehlewald, and Mahlik Jones each recorded RBI's.

Northwestern State scored on once in the bottom of the first before David Metzgar's sac fly in the top of the second plated Dustin Frailey. CSUB starting pitcher Cody White struggled with control in the bottom of the second. He hit a batter and walked the bases loaded. The Demons took advantage as a Cort Brinson double cleared the bases, making the game 6-4. Brinson's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fourth cut the CSUB lead to 6-5.

Northwestern State took the lead in the bottom of the fifth on Matthew Alford and Nick Heath RBI singles. The Demons loaded the bases with two outs before Garrett Nimmo relieved White and got the Roadrunners out of the inning when he retired Brinson on a 4-6 fielder's choice.  

Sophomore Christian Deaton his second hit of the day to begin the CSUB seventh. He advanced to second when Metzgar reached on an error. After loading the bases with one out, the Demons got a double play to put down the CSUB threat. NSU scored once in the bottom of the seventh and one again in the bottom of the eighth. Drew Seelman singled in Frailey in the top of the ninth to make it the final 9-7.

CSUB outhit NW State 15-14, but 'Runner pitchers walked eight compared to only two for the Demons. Frailey went 3-for-4 with three runs scored to top the CSUB offense. Carter, Deaton, and Metzgar each recorded two hits for the 'Runners. Brinson and David Fry each tallied three hits for the Demons. Matthew Alford and Cade Jones both had two hits for Northwestern State (6-4).

“Northwestern State outslugged us and were able to out-walked us today,” said CSUB head coach Bob Macaluso.

CSUB (4-7) will look to break the five-game losing streak at UC Irvine Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. The Roadrunners return home Mar. 11-13 when CSUB hosts UC Riverside. Tickets are available through the CSUB Ticket Office at (661) 654-BLUE or tickets@csub.edu, or online at Vallitix.com.

~www.GoRunners.com~