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Todd W. Bristol, 704 Photography

Baseball

Meet CSUB Baseball 2024: Infielders

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Roadrunner Baseball team continues the start of the 2024 season tomorrow at the Tony Gwynn Legacy Tournament in San Diego, Calif. Bakersfield will be on the road this weekend before their home opener on Mar. 01. We want to help fans get to know seventh-year Head Coach Jeremy Beard's new roster, continuing with the `Runner infielders.

Beard on the men infield, "Shoring up the defense was a priority in the off-season, especially in the infield. We brought in a few guys that will contribute right away with previous collegiate playing. We had a strong fall, developing a talented group of defenders. Both Leon and Pelayo have added help to the left side with obvious improvement from a year ago." 
 
#1 Jacob Gutierrez
Sophomore in his second season with the `Runners.
Bakersfield native, from Ridgeview High School.
In 2023 took 25 at-bats in limited time at the plate, hitting excellently at a .360 clip with 9 hits, two doubles, and 7 RBI.
Two-way player with 10 appearances on the mound and 7 starts while taking the plate and field for 21 games and 14 starts.
Posted a 6.28 ERA while holding a 2-2 record to go with 21 strikeouts.
 
#2 Elijah Pelayo 
Junior in his first season with the `Runners.
Transferred to CSUB from Mt. San Antonio College.
49 games played, he finished with a .330 batting average.
Second Team All-Conference nod.
2021 graduate from Montebello High School.
 
#3 Jonah Shields 
Freshman is his first season with the `Runners.
A 2023 graduate of Liberty High School in Henderson, Nev.
2x First Team All-Conference.
Nevada All-State Academic Team.
Had 54 hits, 21 stolen bases, and a .504 batting average.
 
#4 Andrew Townson 
Junior in his first season with the `Runners.
Transferred to CSUB from Bakersfield College .
Earned WSC All-Conference Team twice, and won the WSC Gold Glove.
Won a Gold Glove and earned Team MVP.
Hit three Grand Slams his senior year with the Golden Hawk.
 
#5 Jason Leon
Junior in first season with the `Runners.
Transferred to CSUB from College of the Desert.
 
#11 Nick Salas 
Senior in his third season with the `Runners.
From Bakersfield, Calif., went to Highland High School.
CSUB's primary second base and/or shortstop option as the only player on the team to play and start all 52 games of the season.
.391 on-base percentage...Tallied 33 hits, 17 RBI, and 31 runs through 153 at-bats.
36 total walks on the season 4th all time in CSUB history at 77.
 
#14 Noah Alvarez 
Freshman in his first season with the `Runners.
Home schooled, although played with EM Speed and Power in Rancho Cucamonga in the Mira Monte League.
Earned Preseason All-Region in 2023 and San Gabriel Valley Tribune All-Area Team.
Won the CIF Championship and State Championship Runner-Up.
 
#19 Zavien Watson 
Junior in his first season with the `Runners.
Transferred to CSUB from Grossmont Community College.
Led the PCAC conference in stolen bases and was First Team All-Conference.
Batted .328 at Grossmont.
 
#35 Aj Cox
Freshman in his first season with the `Runners.
From Porterville, Calif.
A 2023 graduate from Monache High School.
Earned First Team All-League in the East Yosemite League.
Had 83 strikeouts in 42 innings of work for the Marauders.
 
#38 Cody Hendriks
Junior in his third season with the `Runners.
From Coquitlam, B.C., went to Foothills Composite (Okotoks, Alberta).
Built upon a solid 2022 beginning to NCAA career with a much improved year, developing into CSUB's go-to third base option, appearing in 36 games while making 33 starts.
Took 102 at-bats for the team's second-best batting average (.343) among eligible starters.
Collected 35 hits, 7 doubles, and 14 RBI while holding a team-leading .430 on-base percentage.
 
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Players Mentioned

Cody Hendriks

#38 Cody Hendriks

IF
6' 2"
Sophomore
R/R
Nick Salas

#11 Nick Salas

INF
5' 9"
Junior
R/R
Jacob Gutierrez

#36 Jacob Gutierrez

IF
6' 3"
Freshman
R/R
Noah Alvarez

#14 Noah Alvarez

IF
6' 2"
Freshman
L/R
Jason Leon

#5 Jason Leon

IF
5' 11"
Junior
R/R
Elijah Pelayo

#2 Elijah Pelayo

IF
5' 11"
Junior
R/R
Jonah Shields

#3 Jonah Shields

IF/OF
5' 8"
Freshman
R/R
Zavien Watson

#19 Zavien Watson

OF/IF
6' 3"
Junior
R/R
Andrew Townson

#4 Andrew Townson

INF
6' 0"
Junior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Cody Hendriks

#38 Cody Hendriks

6' 2"
Sophomore
R/R
IF
Nick Salas

#11 Nick Salas

5' 9"
Junior
R/R
INF
Jacob Gutierrez

#36 Jacob Gutierrez

6' 3"
Freshman
R/R
IF
Noah Alvarez

#14 Noah Alvarez

6' 2"
Freshman
L/R
IF
Jason Leon

#5 Jason Leon

5' 11"
Junior
R/R
IF
Elijah Pelayo

#2 Elijah Pelayo

5' 11"
Junior
R/R
IF
Jonah Shields

#3 Jonah Shields

5' 8"
Freshman
R/R
IF/OF
Zavien Watson

#19 Zavien Watson

6' 3"
Junior
R/R
OF/IF
Andrew Townson

#4 Andrew Townson

6' 0"
Junior
R/R
INF
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