Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

Next Event

Mark Nessia/Mark Nessia Photography

Baseball

Baseball Hosts NM State for Critical WAC series

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The CSU Bakersfield baseball team returns home after a six-game road trip to take on New Mexico State in a three-game series at Hardt Field. 

Game Notes

Series History
The `Runners lead the all-time series against the Aggies 9-8-1 and split four games with NM State last season.  The Aggies won their first regular season series against CSUB in 2017, but the `Runners beat NMSU in the WAC Conference Tournament.  CSUB has won three out of the five conference series' all-time and the two teams split their series in 2015.

Pitching Matchups
CSUB NMSU
Friday: Alec Daily (2-0, 3.24 ERA) Kyle Bradish (3-1, 3.02 ERA)
Saturday: Davonte Butler (1-4, 4.68 ERA) Jonathan Groff (5-2, 3.70 ERA)
Sunday: TBA TBA

Pre-Series Press Conference


Scouting NM State
The Aggies boast the top offense in the Western Athletic Conference, leading the league in batting average (.325), slugging percentage (.512), on-base percentage (.429), runs scored (257), hits (322), triples (12), home runs (34) and total bases.  Their offense was certainly boosted by their series against Mississippi Valley State as they scored 39, 15 and 20 runs in a three-game set.

On the mound, Kyle Bradish was selected as the WAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year prior to the start of the season.  Bradish has a 3-1 record in 2018 with 65 strikeouts in 41.2 innings pitched.  As a team, NM State has a 4.61 ERA and is allowing opposing hitters to bat .262.  

Team Comparison
CSUB NMSU
RPI 215 198
Batting Average .250 .325
Scoring Average 4.3 8.9
On-Base Percentage .330 .429
Slugging Percentage .309 .512
Extra-Base Hits 38 106
Stolen Bases 26 23
ERA 6.06 4.61
WHIP 1.78 1.48
Strikeouts Per Nine 7.0 9.3
Fielding Percentage .950 .981

Category Leaders
CSUB NMSU
Batting Average Penner, .370 Gonzalez, .413
Runs Penner/Berkey, 17 Ortiz 31
On-Base Percentage Penner, .471 Stine, .520
Slugging Percentage Koch, .463 Fishback, .688
RBI Koch, 14 Fishback, 34
Extra-Base Hits Koch, 10 Fishback, 18
Stolen Bases Penner, 4 Still/Ortiz, 6
Wins 3 Tied With...2 Groff 5
Innings Pitched Butler, 32.2 Bradish, 41.2
ERA Dewsnap, 2.18 Pinedo, 1.80
Strikeouts King, 28 Bradish, 65

Last Time Out
The CSU Bakersfield pitching staff gave up runs in just two innings on Tuesday night at Bagget Stadium, but the Roadrunner offense was unable to get on track as they lost to Cal Poly, 6-0.

After two scoreless innings, Cal Poly (13-14) got to freshman starting pitcher Elijah Parks (2-1).  The first four Mustangs reached base to begin the third inning and stake a 2-0 lead.  After Parks struck out Bradlee Beesley, Colby Barrick singled to put the home team up 4-0 and chase the `Runner starter.  Head coach Jeremy Beard turned to Kevin Altarmarino, who allowed a single to his first batter to make the score 5-0.

In the fourth, the Mustangs added a solo tally to finish off the scoring.  The `Runner bullpen was tremendous in 5.2 innings pitched.  Altamarino, Davonte Butler, Kyle King, Aaron Charles and Isaiah Moten combined to allow just one hit and did not allow an earned run.  Butler retired both batters he faced, while King allowed just two walks in two innings pitched. King benefited from tremendous back-to-back defensive plays from Austyn Tengan and Penner in the fifth.    

Despite having the same number of hits as Cal Poly, the `Runner offense was unable to capitalize on five hits, two Mustang errors and two doubles.  Andrew Penner stroked a two-out double in the first inning and Alec Daily led off the seventh with a two-base hit.  CSUB had two baserunners on in the second inning after Christian Deaton was hit by a pitch and Daily singled, but Mark Pena grounded into a fielder's choice to get Deaton at third and Daniel Carrizosa flew out to center field.

Daily led the offense with his first two-hit game, while Penner reached base safely for the 26th consecutive game.

King Finding Groove
Redshirt junior Kyle King had a tough start to the 2018 season, giving up six earned runs in just two innings against UC Davis in his first career start.  After a spotless inning against California, King got touched up again in a start against CSUN.  He pitched 2.1 innings, walked four and gave up five earned runs.  

Since then though, he has given up an earned run just once in seven relief appearances and now leads the team with 28 strikeouts in just 23.1 innings pitched.  He earned his first career victory against Portland on March 4 after throwing 4.2 innings and allowing just two hits.  King has also shown the ability to get out of some difficult situations, escaping big jams against Dartmouth and San Diego State.  Against the Big Green, King entered the game with runners on second and third with nobody out and allowed just a sacrifice fly as he set down the visitors in order.  Against the Aztecs, he came on in the sixth with runners on first and second and one out and got a fly out and a strikeout to end the threat.

In his last outing, King redeemed himself against the Matadors as he put them down 1-2-3 in the seventh inning.  He continued to throw well on Tuesday, as he did not allow a hit in two innings at Cal Poly.    

Preseason Honorees Living Up to Expectations
Seniors Andrew Penner and Naithen Dewsnap were expected to have big seasons for the Roadrunners as they were both selected to the Preseason All-WAC Team.  Dewsnap also earned preseason recognition from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) as he was picked as a Third Team All-American as a relief pitcher.  

To date, Penner has reached base safely in 26 consecutive games and leads the team in batting average (.370), hits (37), total bases (44), slugging percentage (.440), walks (12), on-base percentage (.471), and stolen bases (4).  The reached base streak is tied for fifth all-time in CSUB history with Oscar Sanay and DC Legg and is 11 games shy of the all-time mark set by David Metzgar last season.  He has anchored the lineup, starting every game so far this season and has hit in the No. 3 spot in the batting order in all but three games.

Already the school's career record holder for saves and saves in a season (14), Dewsnap has already added five more to his career total to bring his career mark to 19.  The senior right-hander has just a 2.18 ERA over 12 appearances this spring and ranks second on the team with 25 strikeouts.  Dewsnap has allowed an earned run in just three of his twelve outings.  

For his career, Dewsnap has made 43 appearances, which ranks ninth all-time in CSUB history.  Teammate Isaiah Moten ranks eighth all-time in career appearances with 49 and Steven Gee is in 10th with 39.  

The 'Koch' is Heating Up
Junior catcher Ryan Koch has made a solid transition to Division I baseball after previously playing at San Joaquin Delta College.  Koch leads the team in extra-base hits (10), doubles (6), home runs (14) and is tied for the team lead with two triples (2).  

Over his last his nine games though, Koch has really picked things up and is hitting .340 with three doubles, a triple, a home run and has knocked in seven of his 14 RBI since the beginning of the Dartmouth series on March 15.  His best career game also took place during this stretch as he went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, and two RBI against the Big Green on March 18.  

New Look Staff
Just four of the 14 CSUB pitchers that have appeared for the `Runners this spring threw a pitch for the team last season.  The newcomers have won seven games this season and have accounted for 157.1 innings pitched out of a total of 231.2, good for nearly 68 percent of the possible outs.  The 10 pitchers have accounted for a 5.90 ERA and an 7-10 record and 126 strikeouts.  Alec Daily has been particularly effective this season after missing the last two seasons because of Tommy John surgery.  The redshirt senior is 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in five appearances and two starts.  The lefty has struck out 20 batters in 16.2 innings pitched and is holding opposing hitters to just a .197 average.  
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

David Metzgar

#15 David Metzgar

INF
5' 8"
Senior
Aaron Charles

#25 Aaron Charles

P/INF
6' 4"
Sophomore
R/R
Alec Daily

#5 Alec Daily

P/1B
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
L/L
Christian Deaton

#1 Christian Deaton

OF
5' 7"
Senior
L/L
Naithen Dewsnap

#22 Naithen Dewsnap

P
6' 4"
Senior
R/R
Steven Gee

#37 Steven Gee

P
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
R/R
Isaiah Moten

#28 Isaiah Moten

P
6' 1"
Junior
R/R
Mark Pena

#30 Mark Pena

OF
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
R/L
Andrew Penner

#7 Andrew Penner

C/OF
5' 11"
Senior
R/R
Austyn Tengan

#12 Austyn Tengan

INF
5' 8"
Sophomore
L/R

Players Mentioned

David Metzgar

#15 David Metzgar

5' 8"
Senior
INF
Aaron Charles

#25 Aaron Charles

6' 4"
Sophomore
R/R
P/INF
Alec Daily

#5 Alec Daily

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
L/L
P/1B
Christian Deaton

#1 Christian Deaton

5' 7"
Senior
L/L
OF
Naithen Dewsnap

#22 Naithen Dewsnap

6' 4"
Senior
R/R
P
Steven Gee

#37 Steven Gee

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
R/R
P
Isaiah Moten

#28 Isaiah Moten

6' 1"
Junior
R/R
P
Mark Pena

#30 Mark Pena

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
R/L
OF
Andrew Penner

#7 Andrew Penner

5' 11"
Senior
R/R
C/OF
Austyn Tengan

#12 Austyn Tengan

5' 8"
Sophomore
L/R
INF
California State University at Bakersfield Athletics loading logo