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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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Mark Nessia/Mark Nessia Photography
10
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 5-8
8
Portland POR 4-7
Winner
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
5-8
10
Final
8
Portland POR
4-7
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 0 4 10 15 3
Portland POR 0 3 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 8 11 3

W: King, Kyle (1-2) L: BUDNICK, T (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

`Runners Win Series in Comeback at Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. – Trailing 8-6 in the top of the ninth inning, the CSU Bakersfield baseball team exploded for four runs in the final frame to claim a 10-8 victory against the University of Portland.  With the win today, the Roadrunners claimed the four-game series, 3-1. 

In the critical final inning, a pair of freshman got the rally started.  Evan Berkey singled to start the inning and Jared Toothman walked.  Both players were moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Jassen Oliver.  With one out in the inning, Buck Anderson singled to score Berkey and Toothman moved to third to put runners at the corners.  Alec Daily tied the game in the next at-bat as he hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Toothman.  Noah Barba then clubbed a double down the right field line and Andrew Penner singled to score Anderson and Barba and give the `Runners their first lead of the ballgame, 10-8.

"That was an excellent comeback win for our guys today," said CSUB manager Jeremy Beard.  "We did not play well early defensively, but we showed character and played every pitch.  A lot can happen over 27 outs and we stood our ground throughout."

The Pilots jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, scoring three runs in the second and the third innings.  The `Runners could've packed it in early, but battled on the road.

CSUB finally got their offense going in the fifth when they took advantage of a number of Portland miscues.  Ryan Koch singled with one out in the inning that scored Daniel Carrizosa, who was hit by a pitch to start the inning, to get the `Runners on the board.  With Penner at second and Koch on first, Jake Ortega singled to load the bases.  Berkey then flied out to right field and when Koch took off to third and found Penner still standing there, he was caught in a rundown.  Eventually, Penner took off for home, but the throw was dropped by the Pilot catcher and he was safe at the plate.  Toothman followed with an infield hit that scored Koch, and Ortega came in all the way from second on an errant toss by the second baseman. 

Portland answered with two more runs in the bottom half of the fifth to push their lead to 8-4.  CSUB could've hung their heads on getaway day, but rallied in the seventh.  Berkey smoked a two-run double down the right field that scored Penner and Ortega as the visitors continued to hang around and eventually came through to win the series.

"Not a lot went our way this weekend," said Beard.  "Our kids had to overcome a lot.  To win three out of four on the road is a big step forward for this group."
Bakersfield native, Kyle King had one of the more effective appearances of the season from the `Runner pitching staff to earn the victory.  King entered the game in the fifth inning trailing 7-4, but cooled the Pilot attack that had already heated up for the afternoon.  King tossed the final 4 2/3 innings for CSUB and allowed just two hits, two walks and no runs for his first career victory. 

"Kyle King came in and was exceptional," said Beard.  "He attacked their hitters early in the count and was able to finish counts.  He will be better moving forward because of it."

Elijah Parks earned his first career start for CSUB, but was chased after 2 2/3 innings after allowing six runs, none of which were earned.  Isaiah Moten followed, but lasted just 1 2/3 before giving way to King. 

The `Runner lineup's 15 hits matched their previous season-best that was set on February 18 against UC Davis.  The first five batters in the Bakersfield lineup had at least two hits, while Berkey led the way with three and two RBI.  Koch is now on a six-game hitting streak, while Penner has reached base safely in 12 consecutive games.  Penner also leads the team with seven multi-hit games. 

CSUB returns to Hardt Field on Tuesday when they host the Rebels of UNLV.  First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
 
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