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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography
8
Winner UC Davis UCD 1-0
1
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 0-1
Winner
UC Davis UCD
1-0
8
Final
1
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
0-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
UC Davis UCD 0 0 0 3 2 3 0 0 0 8 13 0
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 5 1

W: Blais, Matt (1-0) L: Charles, Aaron (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

CSUB Drops Opening Day Game Against UC Davis

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The 2018 baseball season kicked off at Hardt Field on Friday night as the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners suffered a loss to UC Davis. The `Runners held the Aggies off until midway through the game, but UCD surged for an 8-1 win on Opening Day.

"We just have to turn the page and move on to tomorrow," said Jeremy Beard, Head Coach of the `Runners. "We will learn from today and not get too up or too down. We'll stay even-keeled. I like our guys. I think they're gonna learn from it and come out and compete tomorrow."

A tight game was finally broken open in the top of the fourth inning as UC Davis used three hits and a CSUB error to plate three runs. The Aggies used a pair of sacrifice flies to extend their lead to 5-0 in the top half of the fifth. Sophomore Aaron Charles, who earned the start on Opening Day, was pulled out of the game with a line of five runs, all earned, on seven hits and four hit batters. While Charles struggled with control, he did tie a career high by striking out six batters.

With freshman Kevin Altamarino coming out of the bullpen, UCD scored for the third-straight inning. Another pair of runs hit on the board and the Aggies gained an 8-0 lead, but the `Runners were prepared to rally.

In the bottom half of the sixth, freshman Lewis Dirkes drove in a run with his ground out and the `Runners looked primed to put another on the board with one out and a man on third. A close play at the plate prevented the `Runner rally from gaining any momentum.

Sophomore Isaiah Moten came out to pitch the top of the seventh and helped CSUB get to the seventh-inning stretch quickly. The right hander went on to pitch three scoreless innings to get Bakersfield to the ninth, but a comeback was not in the cards. The `Runners fell by a final score of 8-1 at Hardt Field.

Junior Sergio Robles led CSUB out of the leadoff spot, going 2-for-4 from the plate with a pair of singles while gathering four putouts in the outfield. Despite not having the prototypical build for leading off, Coach Beard praised his right fielder's effort and abilities: "Sergio is a better hitter now than he has been in the past two years. He's a real grinder at the plate."

Shortstop Evan Berkey also tallied a pair of hits while scoring CSUB's only run of the game in his collegiate debut. The freshman from La Quinta, Calif. handled the pressure of guarding the infield while going 2-for-3 from the plate.

Junior Jake Ortega recorded CSUB's only other hit of the game and put up a strong performance behind the plate. The 5-foot-10 catcher threw out both Aggie runners that attempted to steal in Friday night's game.

The `Runners (0-1) will continue the series with UC Davis on Saturday with first pitch set for 1 p.m. at Hardt Field.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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