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Davonte Butler
Mark Duffel

Baseball

`Runners Welcome Cal Poly for Home Opener

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – After a 2-2 weekend in Arizona, the CSU Bakersfield baseball team will open the home schedule on Tuesday when Cal Poly makes the day trip to Bakersfield for a 6:00 p.m. first pitch. 

The Roadrunners got off to a rough start to the season by falling to Pepperdine 11-0, but bounced back shortly after to beat Cal 4-3 for the first win in school history over the Bears.  CSUB then split two games with Ball State, dropping a 10-6 decision on Saturday, before bouncing back for an incredible 7-6 comeback win over the Cardinals.  The `Runner offense finally came to life on Sunday, hitting safely on 16 occasions.  On the mound, Edgar Barclay and Darius Vines cemented themselves as two of CSUB's most important pitchers.  Vines retired the final nine batters he faced as he earned the win over Cal after tossing six innings and striking out seven.  Barclay picked up the save against Cal and earned the win on Sunday against Ball State.  In 3.1 innings pitched, the junior lefty has yet to give up a hit and has struck out five batters.  

Pitching Matchup
Davonte Butler will get the start for CSUB, while Cal Poly will send freshman Bryan Woo to the bump.  Butler took the loss against Ball State on Saturday after allowing seven runs in 3.2 innings pitched.  The sophomore is coming off a solid freshman season, producing a 4.39 ERA, which was good for second on the team.  He also held opposing hitters to a .258 average, which was the eighth lowest in CSUB history.  In his first career appearance, Woo game up four runs and recorded just one out against Oklahoma on Saturday. 

Scouting the Mustangs
Cal Poly was picked to finish fourth in the Big West Conference behind preseason favorite Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine and Long Beach State.  The Mustangs were 30-27 last season, but finished second in the league with a 15-9 record.  Cal Poly will look to replace Big West Player of the Year Alex McKenna, Defensive Player of the Year Nick Meyer and all-conference performers Kyle Marinconz and Trent Shelton. 

In the opening weekend, the Mustangs were competitive with Oklahoma, but returned to California with an 0-3 record.  Center fielder Bradlee Beesley led the way offensively, hitting .583 with two doubles, despite the brutal cold and wind in Norman.  Designated hitter Blake Wagenseller and First baseman Tate Samuelson both had three hits in 11 at-bats over the weekend.  Samuelson also coaxed a pair of walks. 

Picketts Shines on Sunday, Rowley Providing Power
Newcomers Will Picketts and Jesse Rowley fit right in after their first weekend in a `Runner uniform.  Picketts exploded for four hits, two RBI and a walk in Sunday's thrilling victory.  The junior college transfer from LA Pierce College is hitting .500 after playing all four games over the weekend and starting three of them.  Picketts also displayed some slick fielding skills at second base and could be a fixture at the position as the season progresses. 

Rowley slugged .588 over the weekend and really came alive against Ball State in the final two games of the series.  He blasted the `Runners' only home run in his first at-bat on Saturday and drilled two doubles on Sunday.  The big first baseman knocked in four, and his 10 total bases are double of Picketts' five, who is second on the team in the category.

Action at Hardt Field will begin at 6:00 p.m. For tickets, call 661-654-BLUE. 
 
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Players Mentioned

Davonté Butler

#15 Davonté Butler

OF/P
6' 0"
Freshman
R/R
Edgar Barclay

#26 Edgar Barclay

LHP
5' 10"
Junior
L/L
Will Picketts

#12 Will Picketts

INF
6' 0"
Junior
R/R
Jesse Rowley

#1 Jesse Rowley

1B
6' 1"
Junior
L/R
Darius Vines

#24 Darius Vines

RHP
6' 1"
Junior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Davonté Butler

#15 Davonté Butler

6' 0"
Freshman
R/R
OF/P
Edgar Barclay

#26 Edgar Barclay

5' 10"
Junior
L/L
LHP
Will Picketts

#12 Will Picketts

6' 0"
Junior
R/R
INF
Jesse Rowley

#1 Jesse Rowley

6' 1"
Junior
L/R
1B
Darius Vines

#24 Darius Vines

6' 1"
Junior
R/R
RHP
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