Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

Next Event

David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography
2
Chicago State CSU 12-41
12
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 20-33
Chicago State CSU
12-41
2
Final
12
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
20-33
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Chicago State CSU 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 6 3
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 0 0 3 0 6 3 X 12 12 1

W: Butler, Davonté (3-7) L: Fitka, Joe (1-5)

Game Recap: Baseball |

`Runners Clinch Spot in WAC Tournament

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Coming into today, the CSU Bakersfield baseball team needed to beat Chicago State University or have New Mexico State University beat the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to clinch the sixth and final spot in the WAC Tournament.  When the dust settled on Friday night, the Roadrunners got both as CSUB crushed the Cougars 12-2 after the Aggies squeaked out a victory over the Vaqueros. 

"What an excellent day for our program," said head coach Jeremy Beard.  "This team has had its share of obstacles but they continue to give it their all every day out.  Earning a bid to the tournament provides an opportunity to display our growth throughout the season."

The `Runners (20-33, 10-13) will be the No. 6 seed in the WAC Tournament and will play either NM State or Sacramento State at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday in the opening round.  If CSUB wins the opening game, they will meet WAC Champion and top-seeded Grand Canyon University at 7:00 p.m. Thursday night.  If CSUB loses the first game, they will play the loser of No. 4 seed Seattle U and No. 5 seed University of Northern Colorado at 11:00 a.m. Thursday.  CSUB has now qualified for the WAC Tournament in all six season it has been in the league. 

For the first time in school history, CSUB has won back-to-back conference games by the 10-run rule after seven innings.  Tonight was nearly a carbon copy of last night as Chicago State took an early 1-0 lead on a wild pitch, but CSUB stormed back to score 12 of the final 13 runs in the contest.  The `Runners put up five runs in the third, six runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth to shorten the game to seven innings. 

"We did a nice job of competing today and our guys are playing with a sense of freedom and confidence," said Beard.  "It is nice to see their growth and ability to use their experience from this season to play their best baseball at the end."

Jake Ortega tied a school record with two triples from the leadoff spot and set a new career-high with six total bases.  Ortega is one of three `Runners to have two triples in a game in program history and the first since Chance Gusbeth did it against UC Riverside on March 2 of 2014.   

Noah Barba had two hits, two RBI and scored a game-high three times from the second spot on the order.  Barba also stole three bases, which ties teammate Austyn Tengan for second in CSUB single-game history.  Dustin Frailey holds the CSUB record with four against UC Irvine in 2016. 

Luis Martinez had two hits and knocked in a pair of runs and Mark Pena also had two hits for the home team, who produced 12 on the night and now have 30 in the series. 

Davonte Butler picked up the win (3-7) after tossing the first 5.2 innings, striking out four batters and allowing just two earned runs.  Kyle King got the final out of the sixth inning and faced just the one batter.  Aaron Charles got the first out of the sixth inning, but the Cougars loaded the bases on the sophomore righty with just one out.  With the bases loaded, Naithen Dewsnap got a strikeout and a foul popout to Andrew Penner to end the game. 

Joe Fitka (1-5) took the loss for the Cougars after giving up nine runs, just of four of which were earned in 4.2 innings pitched. 

The `Runners and the Cougars will meet tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. in the regular season and series finale.  Tomorrow will also serve as Senior Day.

CSUB is in line to play Sacramento State in the opening round of the WAC Tournament.  The Hornets will need to beat Utah Valley University and have NM State lose to UTRGV to vault into the No. 2 seed.  If that were to happen, CSUB will play NM State in its first game.    
 
Print Friendly Version
California State University at Bakersfield Athletics loading logo