CSUB Heads to Portland for Four-Game Set

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield baseball team is headed to Oregon this morning for a four-game series with the University of Portland. The series opener is on Thursday evening with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

In Tuesday's loss against CSUN, the `Runners (2-7) started three freshman in the infield and placed just four returning players in the lineup. With so many young and new faces, it is important to get back out on the diamond quickly according to CSUB head coach Jeremy Beard.

"Baseball is meant to be played a lot," said Beard. We're going to get up and get on that plane tomorrow and go up to a cold environment in Portland. We're going to work on getting better on that trip. We're excited to get up there and get better right away."

A series with the Pilots (3-4) could be just what the doctor order for the `Runners as CSUB swept a four-game series last season at Hardt Field. The `Runners will look to Opening Day starter Aaron Charles (0-2) in the series opener to snap a five-game skid.

The Pilots took three games of a four-game series with Saint Joseph's University in their most recent home stand. To start the season, Portland was swept by UCLA.

The `Runners and the Pilots are fairly even at the plate. CSUB is hitting .248 as a team, while Portland checks in with a .241 batting average. Corner infielder Andrew Penner leads the attack for CSUB. The senior had two hits against CSUN last night and is leading the team in batting average (.419), slugging percentage (.548) and on-base percentage (.526). Penner has multiple hits in five of nine games this spring.

Freshman Evan Berkey continues to be solid at the plate for CSUB. Berkey is hitting .394 on the season with three doubles and has reached base safely in all nine games to start his career.

Senior Ryan Kim and redshirt junior Daniel Lopez lead the Pilot lineup. Kim is hitting .423 with three doubles, two homers, eight RBI and a team-best .846 slugging percentage. Lopez has hit four long balls and driven in a team-high 11 runs. Cody Hawken also has some power as he has gone deep three times.

The `Runners and Pilots are scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. A 3:00 p.m. start is on tap for Saturday with the series finale on Sunday slated for 12:00 p.m. Follow live stats HERE and live video HERE.

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Players Mentioned

#25 Aaron Charles: P/INF; 6' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

#7 Andrew Penner: C/OF; 5' 11"; Senior; R/R

#4 Evan Berkey: SS; 5' 10"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#25 Aaron Charles
: 6' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: P/INF

#7 Andrew Penner
: 5' 11"; Senior; R/R
: C/OF

#4 Evan Berkey
: 5' 10"; Freshman; R/R
: SS

Players Mentioned

#25 Aaron Charles

#7 Andrew Penner

#4 Evan Berkey

Players Mentioned

#25 Aaron Charles

#7 Andrew Penner

#4 Evan Berkey