`Runner Rally Falls Short on Friday

Box Score BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield baseball team scored four runs in the sixth inning, and a run in both the eighth and ninth innings, but it wasn't enough to overcome an early Seattle U advantage. Despite the Roadrunners having the winning run on base in the ninth, the Redhawks hung on for a 7-6 win in the series opener.

Trailing 7-5 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Evan Berkey got the `Runners going with a leadoff walk. After Seattle U's Alex Jemal retired the next two batters, Jesse Rowley singled and Damian Henderson did the same to score Berkey from second and put the tying run in scoring position. Jemal got CSUB's next hitter, Nick Grossman, to strikeout swinging to end the game and pick up his second save of the season.

CSUB (13-14, 1-3 WAC) spotted the Redhawks a 5-0 lead after 5.5 innings. The Roadrunners clawed their way back into the game in the bottom of the sixth with four runs to cut the visitors' advantage to just one. Eric Charles was hit by a pitch to start the inning and after Noah Barba grounded into a fielder's choice, CSUB got four straight hits by Berkey, Jake Ortega, Ryan Koch and Rowley. Berkey ripped a double, which was followed by an Ortega base hit bunt. Koch drove them both in with a triple to right center and Rowley had an infield single to cap the inning.

Seattle U (6-17, 2-2 WAC) responded with two runs of their own against Kenny Johnson in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the inning, the `Runners loaded the bases with nobody out but were unable to do any damage.

It was a tough start for Darius Vines (4-2), who had not pitched less than six innings in any of his previous six starts. Vines lasted four innings on Friday and allowed three earned runs. Roman Angelo closed things out for CSUB on the mound. He threw the final 2.1 innings and allowed just one hit and one walk.

Offensively, Rowley had a career-high three hits and Charles produced his first multi-hit game as a Roadrunner with two safeties. Berkey walked, singled, drove in a run and scored twice to aid the effort.

CSUB will remain at home tomorrow when they try to even the series with the Redhawks at 1-1. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Noah Barba: 3B/OF; 5' 11"; Senior; L/R

#4 Evan Berkey: SS; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#35 Kenny Johnson: RHP; 6' 2"; Junior; R/R

#23 Ryan Koch: C/1B; 6' 1"; Senior; R/R

#33 Jake Ortega: C; 5' 10"; Senior; L/R

#11 Damian Henderson: OF; 6' 1"; Sophomore; L/L

#3 Nick Grossman: OF; 6' 0"; Junior; L/R

#1 Jesse Rowley: 1B; 6' 1"; Junior; L/R

#40 Roman Angelo: RHP; 6' 4"; Freshman; R/R

#24 Darius Vines: RHP; 6' 1"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#2 Noah Barba
: 5' 11"; Senior; L/R
: 3B/OF

#4 Evan Berkey
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: SS

#35 Kenny Johnson
: 6' 2"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#23 Ryan Koch
: 6' 1"; Senior; R/R
: C/1B

#33 Jake Ortega
: 5' 10"; Senior; L/R
: C

#11 Damian Henderson
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; L/L
: OF

#3 Nick Grossman
: 6' 0"; Junior; L/R
: OF

#1 Jesse Rowley
: 6' 1"; Junior; L/R
: 1B

#40 Roman Angelo
: 6' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: RHP

#24 Darius Vines
: 6' 1"; Junior; R/R
: RHP