`Runners Sweep the State of California

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield wrestling team completed a perfect run through the state of California on Saturday by dominating California Baptist 38-6. The seven dual wins for the season are also a season high for CSUB Head Coach Manny Rivera.

With the victory, CSUB completed a perfect 6-0 run against competition from the state of California this season. To open the year, the `Runners knocked off San Francisco State and Life Pacific. They then beat Cal Poly for their first Pac-12 victory of the season and upset nationally-ranked Stanford and Fresno State.

After Kalani Tonge dropped the opening match, Wyatt Gerl wasted no time in recording his first pin as a Roadrunner. The junior needed just 90 seconds to stick Jaron Pagaduan to put CSUB up 6-3. At 165 pounds, Jacob Thalin shutout Jacob Cooper 5-0. After a scoreless first three minutes, Thalin had takedowns in the second and third periods to take control.

Trailing 5-3 to start the third period, Bryan Battisto scored all four points in the final frame to earn a 7-5 decision at 174 pounds. The redshirt senior escaped Bryce Buckley's control 20 seconds into the period and claimed his first lead of the match with a takedown with 1:09 remaining. Battisto rode out Buckley for the rest of the match and received a point for riding time.

Dominic Ducharme, ranked 29^th in the nation in the latest coaches' rankings, pinned Garrett Strang in just 49 seconds to give the Roadrunners a commanding 18-3 lead at the halfway point. Mark Penyacsek followed with a 9-4 decision at 197 pounds. The redshirt junior trailed after the first period, but scored a reversal and got two nearfall points in the second to lead 7-4. In the third, he added two more points on a takedown with 33 seconds remaining.

The Lancers earned three points with an 8-4 decision at the heavyweight match. Zach Schrader defeated Jarrod Snyder 8-4 for CBU. CBU forfeited both the 125-pound and 141-pound bouts and Sean Nickell picked up an 18-1 technical fall at 133 pounds for five more team points. Nickell led 12-1 after the first period and used a takedown and four more nearfall points to earn the win.

The Roadrunners will have next weekend off in preparation for the Pac-12 Championships at Arizona State on March 9.

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Players Mentioned

Bryan Battisto: 174; 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior

Dominic Ducharme: 184; 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore

Sean Nickell: 133; 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior

Mark Penyacsek: 197; 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior

Jarrod Snyder: 285; 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore

Jacob Thalin: 165; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior

Kalani Tonge: 141/149; 5' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore

Wyatt Gerl: 157; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Bryan Battisto
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior
: 174

Dominic Ducharme
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore
: 184

Sean Nickell
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior
: 133

Mark Penyacsek
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior
: 197

Jarrod Snyder
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore
: 285

Jacob Thalin
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior
: 165

Kalani Tonge
: 5' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore
: 141/149

Wyatt Gerl
: 5' 9"; Junior
: 157