BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—David Metzgar's two-out single in the bottom of the ninth drove in his career high fifth run of the game, but more importantly, it gave CSU Bakersfield a 6-5 victory over Chicago State Friday night.

The game was scoreless until the fifth when Chicago State starter Josh Willis walked the bases loaded. Metzgar cleared the bases with a two-out triple for a 3-0 lead. Dustin Frailey's sac fly to right scored Ryan Grotjohn in the bottom of the seventh to increase the lead. With two outs in the inning, Metzgar posted his fourth RBI of the night with a single up the middle that scored Junior Felix.

Helped by three double plays, CSU Bakersfield pitcher Isaiah Moten cruised into the ninth before the Cougars began to threaten. Sanford Hunt singled to open the frame. Chris Hipchen hit a grounder back to Moten on the mound. He tried for the double play, but threw the ball into centerfield putting runners on first and second. Julian Russell flew out to left before Rick Salazar singled to right to load the bases.

David Wright singled to center to score Hunt. Adam Coats relieved Moten to face Zach Thomas in a lefty-lefty matchup. Thomas hit a flare into short right that Metzgar fielded, but his throw was not in time as Hipchen scored. Cody Grosse struck out looking. Andy Gertonson, the No. 3 batter in the Chicago State lineup came to the plate. The Roadrunner closer, Chance Gusbeth, a righthander, came in from right field to face the right handed hitting Gertonson. Unfortunately for the 'Runners the pitching change didn't work as Gusbeth walked Gertsonson for a run.

Gusbeth faced Cody Freund, another right handed batter. Fruend tied the game with a single through the right side that scored two runs. Gusbeth would strike out Hunt to end the inning. 

Thomas, the Cougars' closer came in from left and recorded the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth. With the count 3-2 against Frailey, the CSUB centerfielder tripled to right. Mahlik Jones was hit by a Thomas pitch. Metzgar would then drive in the game winning run on a single on the first pitch he saw from Thomas.

Metzgar recorded three of the eight CSUB hits. The 'Runner second baseman is now the ninth CSUB player to record at least five RBI's in a game. The school record for most RBI's in a game is seven which Gusbeth charted on May 8, 2014 at Northern Colorado.

Frailey tallied his 24th multi-hit game of the year as he went 2-for-2 with two walks. Chicago State outhit the Roadrunners 10-8 with Hunt leading the way with two.

CSUB (13-34, 7-14 WAC) and Chicago State (13-37, 6-16 WAC) continue the series Saturday night. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Listen on 1230 AM/98.1 FM ESPN. The pregame show with host Corey Costelloe begins at 5:45. Tickets are available through the CSUB Ticket Office at (661) 654-BLUE or tickets@csub.edu, or online at Vallitix.com.

~www.GoRunners.com~