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Mark Nessia/Mark Nessia Photography
7
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 13-21, 4-5 WAC
3
Utah Valley UVU 12-22, 4-8 WAC
Winner
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
13-21, 4-5 WAC
7
Final
3
Utah Valley UVU
12-22, 4-8 WAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 0 0 1 0 0 2 4 0 0 7 14 1
Utah Valley UVU 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 3 10 1

W: Parks, Elijah (3-1) L: Schmitt,Kaden (3-2) S: Butler, Davonté (1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Roadrunners Sweep Series at Utah Valley

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – For the second consecutive season, the CSU Bakersfield baseball team started Western Athletic Conference play 1-5, and just like last spring, the Roadrunners responded in a big way.  With a 7-3 win in Sunday's series finale, the `Runners completed a three-game road sweep of Utah Valley University and are back in the middle of the pack of the conference standings. 

This weekend's series sweep is the first road sweep of a WAC foe since the `Runners took all three games from the University of North Dakota back in 2015. 

"This was a quality weekend for us and we look to build on it moving forward," said CSUB head coach Jeremy Beard.  "Seeing these guys compete the way they did shows their ability to stay together and never give in."

CSUB (13-21, 4-5 WAC) struck first again on Sunday as Daniel Carrizosa, Evan Berkey and Jake Ortega all singled to start the inning and put the `Runners on the scoreboard, 1-0.

After four straight shutout innings to begin the game, the Wolverines finally got to freshman starter Elijah Parks (3-1) as they plated two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 2-1 advantage.  It didn't take long though for CSUB to respond as Andrew Penner singled to start the sixth and Ryan Koch stroked his fourth triple of the season to knot the score.  Just as he had all series, Jassen Oliver came through in the clutch as he stroked a one-out single to left center to score Koch and put CSUB up for good. 

Parks kept the momentum alive in his final inning as he retired the Wolverines in order in the sixth, and the `Runner offense exploded for four runs to put the game out of reach in the seventh. 

Pinch hitter Cole Valletta started the inning with an infield single, Carrizosa sacrificed him to second and Berkey singled for the second time to put runners at the corners with one out.  Ortega sacrificed bunted in the next at-bat, but the Wolverine throw home was not in time and Valletta scored to make it 4-2 in favor of the visitors.  Another infield single by Penner loaded the bases for Koch, who drew a walk to force in a run.  Luis Martinez followed with another single to center that plated two more runs and completed the scoring for CSUB. 

Davonte Butler relieved Parks in the seventh and finished off the Wolverines to earn his first career save.  He struck out two and allowed two hits and an unearned run over the final three innings. 

Parks scattered eight hits over the first six innings and struck out a pair, while allowing just two earned runs. 

"We played another complete game today and it started on the mound with our two freshmen," said Beard.  "Elijah came out and made quality pitches throughout his outing and allowed our defense to go to work for him.  Davonte slammed the door with a veteran presence to finish off the series."

Berkey, Penner, Koch, Martinez and Valletta all had two hits as the `Runners produced 14 hits for the second time in three games.  The defense was also stellar on Sunday as CSUB turned four double plays.  An all freshman middle infield with Berkey at second base and Carrizosa at shortstop was tremendous.  

"Our two freshman up the middle turned key double plays and shrunk the infield today," said Beard.  "Luis was sound at third as well."

For the series, CSUB hit .327 with nine extra-base hits and had a team ERA of 3.00.  Robles and Oliver led the way with six hits each, while Berkey and Penner both had five.  Robles, Oliver, Koch and Martinez all drove in three runs over the three games. Oliver was clutch all series for CSUB.  He made a spectacular catch yesterday in center field to get out of a jam, and hit 3-for-6 with runners in scoring position.  

"We took quality plate approaches throughout the series and put pressure on their staff," said Beard.  "Our guys played every pitch and were process oriented throughout the weekend."  

CSUB will return home on Wednesday when they host the University of Hawaii at Hardt Field.  First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m.
 
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