Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

Next Event

BB_Team_MD
Mark Duffel

Baseball Written by James Tsitakis-Cecil

`Runner Baseball Gears Up for Four-Game Road Trip

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – After two tough Big West series losses against formidable opponents, the Cal State Bakersfield baseball team travels to Long Beach State and USC looking for some road wins to get back on track. Despite some bullpen trouble, the Roadrunner bats have been working hard to give CSUB a chance in every game. The `Runners can surely string together some good results, even against equally tough foes like the Beach and the Trojans, if they are able to successfully put together all phases on the game.

This Weekend's Schedule
  • at Long Beach State
    • Friday, May 5, 6:00 p.m.
    • Saturday, May 6, 6:00 p.m.
    • Sunday, May 7, 1:00 p.m.
  • at USC
    • Tuesday, May 9, 6:00 p.m.
Quotes from Head Coach Jeremy Beard
  • "Pitching and defense are key against quality teams. Every team in this conference is quality, so more consistency on the mound is the biggest determining factor for our success."
  • "Long Beach State is coming off a win against USC and has some momentum heading into the weekend. Our ability to play well defensively and limit momentum swings will be strong factors to our success."
  • "Playing at USC will be a quality experience for our program. The Trojans have a chance to make a late run and are playing solid baseball right now. We will need to play a complete game to beat them on the road."
`Runner Notes
  • A trio back-and-forth games defined the recent home series against UC Irvine. Despite looking much better than their opponent at times, the `Runners were held off in all three contests by late offensive surges from the Anteaters.
  • The first game was a high scoring affair that ended with a 16-11 UC Irvine victory. Jacob Ruley's solo home run got the Roadrunners going in the third inning. UCI closed the gap to 9-8 in the sixth before taking the lead the next inning and closing out with a 4-run ninth inning.
  • In a tightly contested affair for game two, Matt Comnos and Nick Salas set new single-game career highs with Comnos getting 8 strikeouts and Salas walking four times, but CSUB was unable to mount a response after the Anteaters took the lead in the fourth inning.
  • Much of game three's offense game in the first half of the game with the score tied 7-7 after five innings. Davonte Butler pitched a valiant long relief outing to keep CSUB in the game, but UC Irvine finally broke through for four runs in the ninth to secure victory.
Scouting the Beach
  • Long Beach State (24-17, 9-9 BW) is led by fourth-year head coach Eric Valenzuela.
  • The Beach have experienced an interesting season thus far, with clear wins against outstanding teams, including a highlight victory over a ranked UCLA squad. However, they have also lost to teams CSUB has beat, including LBSU being swept by Hawai'i.
  • The few blemishes on Long Beach's schedule will surely give the `Runners hope to turn their fortunes around, especially with the Beach coming off a couple losses before their recent win at USC.
  • With eight batters hitting about a .290 batting average and seven pitchers throwing under a 5.00 ERA, the Beach are a well-balanced squad loaded with talent that will give the `Runners a great challenge.
  • With wins in the last two years' worth of series between the Beach and `Runners, CSUB was able to nab one game in each year.
Scouting the Trojans
  • USC (25-17-1, 11-10 Pac-12) is led by first-year head coach Andy Stankiewicz.
  • The longtime GCU head coach has plenty of history managing against the `Runners back in their WAC days together. Stankiewicz led GCU to five regular-season WAC titles and was named WAC Coach of the Year four times.
  • Despite USC's vaulted place in Division I baseball and the Pac-12, the `Runners have played quite a few close games against the Trojans in the past, although the two opponents have not met since February 2013, over a decade ago, when Bakersfield secured a 9-4 home victory.
  • The Trojans will undoubtably be one of, if not the greatest challenge CSUB has faced this year, as USC has numerous wins over ranked programs in 2023 and currently sits middle-of-the-table in a packed conference with four ranked teams at the top.
  • With only five hitters under a .250 batting average, the Trojans are formidable on offense, particularly with Austin Overn, one of best true freshmen in college baseball and a dual-sport athlete for USC in football, who is currently batting at a .341 clip with a team-leading 61 hits.
How to Follow the `Runners
Season ticket plans and individual game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on GoRunners.com/Tickets or by calling 661.654.BLUE or 661.654.GOLD.
 
~GoRunners.com~
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Matt Comnos

#29 Matt Comnos

LHP
6' 1"
Senior
L/L
Nick Salas

#11 Nick Salas

INF
5' 9"
Junior
R/R
Jacob Ruley

#45 Jacob Ruley

OF
5' 10"
Junior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Matt Comnos

#29 Matt Comnos

6' 1"
Senior
L/L
LHP
Nick Salas

#11 Nick Salas

5' 9"
Junior
R/R
INF
Jacob Ruley

#45 Jacob Ruley

5' 10"
Junior
R/R
OF
California State University at Bakersfield Athletics loading logo