• Bakersfield reinserted themselves back into Big West Championship contention with a crucial win over UC Davis this weekend.
• Four `Runners scored in double digits versus UC Davis as Kaleb Higgins continued to rank as one of the top offensive weapons in the Big West.
  • Higgins is sitting at 472 points scored on the season and is in the hunt for Bakersfield's Division I single-season record with three games left in the regular season (Jarkel Joiner, 2018-19, 532 points).

CSUB 66, Long Beach State 79 – Thursday, Feb. 22

• CSUB dominated the boards in the loss, outrebounding the Beach 40-26.
• A strong second half by LBSU pushed them to victory over the `Runners
  • The Beach got to the free throw line 28 times, but 20 in just the second half.
• Bakersfield held LBSU threat Jadon Jones in check, scoring seven points on the evening.
• Kaleb Higgins showed out again versus Long Beach, scoring 23 in the road game.
  • In two meetings with LBSU this season, Higgins scored 57 points.

CSUB 75, UC Davis 56 – Saturday, Feb. 24

• CSUB came back home to host UC Davis on the 11th Annual Homecoming.
• The Roadrunners earned a statement win over the Aggies, who are currently third in the Big West standings, and the second seed going into the Big West Championships.
  • UC San Diego is second in the standings, but unable to compete in postseason play.
  • This win over Davis, put Bakersfield back as the 8th and final seed in the Championships with three games to go.
• Elijah Pepper was contained by the Bakersfield defense, scoring only nine points (1-11 FG).
  • Pepper, the leading scorer in the Big West and a Top 25 scorer nationall with 20 PPG, is shooting 22% (7-32 FG) versus Bakersfield this season.
• CSUB had four in double digits: Modestas Kancleris (17), Kaleb Higgins (15), Marvin McGhee III (14), and Cameron Wilbon (11). 

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• Cal State Bakersfield's women’s basketball team had a tough weekend of Big West play. 
• The Roadrunners dropped both of their games against Long Beach State and UC Davis. 
• CSUB still remains in contention for the Big West Championships, sitting just half a game behind Cal State Fullerton for the 8th and final spot in the tournament.
• Jordan Olivarez averaged 22.5 points this week. Olivares continues to make an impact for the `Runners, adding nine rebounds and five steals.
• Sophomore guard Morgan Edwards posted a season-high 13 points at UC Davis on Saturday.

  CSUB 67,  Long Beach State 69 – Thursday, Feb. 22

• Cal State Bakersfield women’s basketball was in the Icardo to start off the weekend. 
• Starting off the game, the `Runners were leading the game, scoring 25 points in the first quarter and 16 in the second to lead 41-39 heading into the half.
  • Playing with an eight-woman team, Bakersfield's athletes were racking up high minutes on the court. 
• Heading into the third, the team was feeling the effects of being down players, only scoring 11 points compared to Long Beach State's 17. The Beach was making a comeback, taking their first lead of the night. 
• Bakersfield, fought hard in the fourth, but could not catch LBSU, outscoring their opponents in the quarter, but it was not enough to take the win. 
• Jordan Olivares led the `Runners that night, scoring 20 points, six rebounds and 3 steals.
• Teammate Shaunae Brown followed close behind her with 14 points
  • Brown hit three 3-pointers, breaking the CSUB Division I record for most threes made in a single season in the process.

CSUB 62, UC Davis 78 – Saturday, Feb. 24

• Bakersfield's game Saturday afternoon ended in another loss for the `Runners. 
• UC Davis got out to an early start, scoring 25 points to Bakersfield’s 14 points. 
• The rest of the game was similar to the first quarter, with the Aggies leading the way.
• In the second half, Bakersfield tried to make a comeback, scoring a majority of their points, but it still was not enough to beat UC Davis. 
• Olivares led the `Runners again, scoring 25 points and adding three rebounds and two steals. 
• Edwards had her best game of the season, playing 29 minutes and scoring 13 points. 

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• The Cal State Bakersfield softball team continued the 2024 season by hosting the first annual Welter Classic.
  • The tournament honored the legacy of legendary coach Kathy Welter, who led CSUB to three NCAA Division II National Championships and 990 career victories.
  • Welter was recognized in a ceremony on Saturday and former `Runner All-American Christie Hill threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
• The Roadrunners are led by first-year Head Coach Letty Olivarez, who guided the team to her first home victory this weekend.
• Outfielder Kaia Johnson reset CSUB's all-time record for steals in a game with four on Friday against Montana.
• First baseman Karissa Munsey paced the `Runner hitters, batting .533 (8-for-15) on the weekend with a team-high four RBI.

  CSUB 8, Montana 3 – Friday, Feb. 23

• CSUB took on Montana in their first game of the Welter Classic, where they won 8-3 in front of the home crowd.
• Kaia Johnson went 3-for-4 with four stolen bases, which reset CSUB's single-game individual record.
  • Previously, 11 `Runners had tallied three steals in a game.
• Karissa Munsey drove in three of the eight runs for Bakersfield, while going 3-for-4 at the plate.
• Dani Hunter went four strong innings in the circle, striking out four and setting up Kirsten Martinez to close out the game for her second save on the 2024 campaign.

CSUB 0, Saint Mary’s 1 – Friday, Feb. 23

• In Game 2, CSUB hosted Saint Mary’s in a pitchers' duel.
• CSUB pitcher Anisa Reynolds held the Gaels offense to just one run.
  • Hannah Ferguson drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 7th inning.
• The Roadrunner offense generated four hits, but were unable to cash in.

CSUB 0, Saint Mary’s 9 (5 inn.) – Saturday, Feb. 24

• After going 1-1 on Day 1 of the Welter Classic, the `Runners stuttered on Day 2.
• The Gaels offense came out hot, scoring five runs in the first inning.
• Brianna Sanchez came into relief for Carter Thornton, only giving up one run over 3.2 innings pitched.

CSUB 4, Montana 6 – Saturday, Feb. 24

• CSUB struck first versus Montana scoring two in the first inning.
  • Kaia Johnson scored on a sacrifice fly from Hailey Brooks.
  • Logan-Ray Gaspar scored on a single to right field by Karissa Munsey.
• The Roadrunners tacked on two more in the second inning.
  • Johnson hit a single to left field scoring Maya Molina-Villarreal.
  • Gaspar drove in CSUB's fourth run scoring Maya Williams on a single up the middle.
• Montana slowly climbed back starting in the third inning on a three-run home run.
• The Grizzlies took the lead in the fifth and then added an insurance run in the sixth.

CSUB 0, Montana 2 – Sunday, Feb. 25

• Reynolds got the start again in the final game of the Welter Classic Sunday morning.
  • The native of Arizona held the Grizzlies to two runs over seven innings of work.
• Bakersfield’s offense was able to string together hits, but unable to get anything on the board.
• In the bottom of the 7th, the `Runners got one on with two outs thanks to an Alina Guerrero single through the middle and a stolen base.
• CSUB’s comeback bid came up short as Montana shut the door on the `Runners.

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• The Cal State Bakersfield baseball team continued the 2024 season last weekend at the Tony Gwynn Legacy in San Diego.
• While the Roadrunners went 0-4 over the weekend, CSUB continued to look like a developing team that has potential to make waves in The Big West.
• Over the weekend, the `Runners looked to a familiar face and a newcomer to lead the way offensively:
  • C Matt Kurata: .400 BA, .667 SLG%, 4 runs, 1 RBI
  • 3B/DH Noah Alvarez: .364 BA, 1 run, 2 RBI
• Pitcher Ryan Figueroa gave up zero earned runs across 3.1 innings in two relief appearances.

  CSUB 3, Missouri 6 – Thursday, Feb. 22

• Bakersfield jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on Matt Kurata’s solo home run.
• Missouri answered back with three runs in the second before CSUB made the score 3-2 after two complete innings.
• The `Runners tied the game in the fourth when a fielding error allowed Zavien Watson to score.
• The Tigers went ahead 4-3 in the fifth, then tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh on the way to the 6-3 victory.
• Kurata was an outstanding 5-for-5 in the game, tying Bakersfield’s all-time record for hits in a game.
• Cody Hendriks and Elijah Pelayo each added a pair of hits for the `Runners.

  CSUB 0, Loyola Marymount 4 – Friday, Feb. 23

• LMU struck early, plating two runs in the first inning.
• The Lions added runs in the sixth and eighth.
• Bakersfield struggled to get the offense going, tallying just four hits in the game.
• Noah Alvarez was the offensive bright spot, going 2-for-4 on the day.
• Gary Grojean tossed six quality innings for CSUB, fanning five Lions while allowing three runs, three hits, and a walk.
• Tally Wright Jr. closed out the final three innings on the mound, allowing just one run on two hits and a walk.

  CSUB 6, San Diego State 11 (11 inn.) – Saturday, Feb. 24

• What eventually turned into a slugfest started out as a pitchers’ duel as the two teams headed into the fifth inning scoreless.
• SDSU broke through first in the fifth before winding up with a 4-0 lead after five and a half innings.
• Bakersfield answered right back, scoring six runs in the sixth.
  • CSUB’s patience at the plate paid off as five `Runners walked in the inning.
  • Noah Alvarez’s two RBI single catalyzed the offensive explosion.
• The `Runners maintained the 6-4 lead before stumbling in the top of the ninth, giving up seven runs to the Aztecs, capped by a grand slam.
• Bakersfield native Jacob Gutierrez took a No Decision after throwing 5.1 innings and allowing just three runs while striking out six.

  CSUB 5, Utah 6 – Sunday, Feb. 25

• Utah jumped out to an early lead, 4-0, through three innings.
• Bakersfield finally answered back, scoring two runs in the seventh, then tying the game with another pair of runs in the ninth.
• CSUB went ahead 5-4 in the top of the 11th, but the Utes walked off in the bottom half of the frame on a RBI single.
• Konnor Palmeira and Zavien Watson both tallied a pair of hits while the latter drove in three runs in the final game of the Tony Gwynn Legacy.

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• The Cal State Bakersfield beach volleyball team kicked off the season at the Cactus Classic hosted by the University of Arizona. 
• The Roadrunners are led by first-year Head Coach Andy Fulenwider, who earned his first win in Arizona this weekend against UTEP.
• Freshmen and newcomer Vivi Kaelin and Ella Erteltova went undefeated going 4-0 as the #3 pair.

CSUB 2, Boise State 3 – Friday, Feb. 23

• #3 pair Ella Erteltova and Vivi Kaelin (CSUB) defeated Emilia Guerra-Acuna and Ava Anderson (BS) in 3 sets.
• #4 pair Ava Palm and Ella Ensign (CSUB) defeated Mya Jackson and Addison Wolden (BS) in 3 sets.

CSUB 1, Arizona 4 – Friday, Feb. 23

• #3 pair Ella Erteltova and Vivi Kaelin (CSUB) defeated Kylee Fitzsimmons and Annie Kost (ARIZ) in 3 sets.

CSUB 2, Colorado Mesa 3 – Saturday, Feb. 24

• #3 pair Ava Palm and Ella Ensign (CSUB) defeated Savannah Spitzer and Gracyn Spresser (CM) in 3 sets.
• #4 pair Ella Erteltova and Vivi Kaelin (CSUB) defeated Savannah Ott and Barett Nolan (CM) in 2 sets.
• #5 pair Cedar Bellows and Sabrina VanDeList (CM) defeated Isabella Almeida and Katey Milne (CSUB) in 3 sets.

CSUB 3, UTEP 2 – Saturday, Feb. 24

• #3 pair Ella Erteltova and Vivi Kaelin (CSUB) defeated Katie Martin and Marian Ovalle (UTEP) in 2 sets.
• #4 pair Kaia Fanshier and Ella Ensign (CSUB) defeated Mila Popovic and Ema Uskokovic (UTEP) in 2 sets.
• #5 pair Isabella Almeida and Katey Milne (CSUB) defeated Alexis Massey and Katie Call (UTEP) in 2 sets.

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• An outstanding weekend of action saw the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners show out at the 2024 MPSF Swimming Championships this week.
• While several `Runners brought their best to the biggest meet of the season, CSUB looked to sophomores Vili Sivec and Kylie Ney to lead the way.
• At the 2024 MPSF Swimming and Diving Championships, Cal State Bakersfield produced:
  • 8 MPSF medals
  • 7 CSUB records
  • 3 MPSF records
  • 19 All-Conference performances
  • 14 CSUB Top 5 All-Time marks

• More details about Bakersfield's performance in this full recap.

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