EDINBURG, Texas—AJ Monarrez tossed a complete game three-hitter as CSU Bakersfield defeated UT Rio Grande Valley 5-0 in the Western Athletic Conference series finale Sunday afternoon.

Monarrez tied his career high with nine strikeouts while only walking two. He gave up two of the three UTRGV hits in the first four batters he faced. From there, only two Vaqueros reached base (one on a hit and one on an error). Monarrez needed 125 pitches (78 for strikes) for the first CSUB shutout of the season.

CSUB took advantage of a UTRGV (19-24, 8-10 WAC) error in the top of the third to score the game's first run. The Roadrunners struck again in the seventh when three consecutive two-out singles resulted in a David Metzgar RBI that scored Dustin Frailey. Max Carter worked out a walk against UTRGV starter Andrew Garcia to load the bases. Garcia battled back, getting Cody White to hit a grounder back to the mound to end the inning.

The 'Runners loaded the bases with one out in the top of the eighth for Frailey, CSUB's top hitter (.386). On UTRGV reliever Eddie Delgado's first pitch, Frailey hit a grounder to third where Scott Mercer threw home for the second out. With the count 1-2 on Mahlik Jones, Delgado uncorked a wild pitch that went to the backstop, allowing Drew Seelman to score. Jones went the opposite way, hitting a double down the right field line to drive in two runs. Delgado's second wild pitch of the inning advanced Jones to third. Metzgar struck out looking for the final out.

Frailey posted two of the seven CSUB hits. It was Frailey's 23rd multi-hit game of the season in 41 games played. He scored twice. Seelman was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Jones posted two hits for the Roadrunners.

The victory keeps the Roadrunner WAC Tournament hopes alive. UTRGV is ahead of CSUB in the standings with a magic number of four which will allow the Vaqueros to clinch the WAC Tournament's sixth and final playoff spot.

CSUB's (11-34, 6-14 WAC) final road game of the season is Tuesday when the 'Runners travel to No. 13 UC Santa Barbara at 3 p.m.

The Roadrunners return home May 13 against Chicago State which will begin a seven game home stand that concludes the regular season. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Tickets are available through the CSUB Ticket Office at (661) 654-BLUE or tickets@csub.edu, or online at Vallitix.com.

~www.GoRunners.com~