• The Cal State Bakersfield beach volleyball team kicked off the season at the Pepperdine Challenge hosted by the University of Pepperdine.
• · The Roadrunners are led by second-year Head Coach Andy Fulenwider.
• · Runners faced off against the 2024 WCC Runner-up Pepperdine and #9 ranked California.
• · The Runners defeat Pepperdine in a tight 3-2 finish to upset powerhouse Pepperdine.

CSUB 3, Pepperdine 2 – Friday, Feb. 21

• 1. Kate Clermont/McKenna Thomas (PEPP) def. Katey Milne/Sarah Martin (CSUB) 21-8, 21-6
• 2. Madison Oriskovich/Emma Eden (PEPP) def. Paola Caten/O. Silacci-Jensen (CSUB) 21-16, 21-11 
• 3. Ella Erteltova/Vivi Kaelin (CSUB) def. Gabriella Perez/Marley Johnson (PEPP) 21-19, 21-10 
• 4. Ella Ensign/Vianna Garcia (CSUB) def. Emma Bubelis/Ella Foti (PEPP) 18-21, 21-19, 17-15 
• 5. Bailey Combs/Brooklyn Thomas (CSUB) def. Emi Erickson/Bella Avelar (PEPP) 22-20, 21-19

CSUB 0, California 5 - Friday, Feb.21

• 1. Emma Donley/Portia Sherman (Cal) def. Katey Milne/Sarah Martin (CSUB) 21-8, 21-16
• 2. Marilu Pally/Alex Young-Gomez (Cal) def. Paola Caten/O. Silacci-Jensen (CSUB) 21-14, 21-14
• 3. Ella Sears/Ella Dreibholz (Cal) def. Ella Erteltova/Vivi Kaelin (CSUB) 21-16, 21-15
• 4. Christine DeRoos/Jenna Colligan (Cal) def. Ella Ensign/Vianna Garcia (CSUB) 21-12, 21-17
• 5. Mila Vugrincic/Alex Adishian (Cal) def. Bailey Combs/Brooklyn Thomas (CSUB) 21-14, 21-17

CSUB 0 USC 7

• Bakersfield traveled to LA to play a single game against USC to kick off a month-long stretch of road games.
• The Roadrunners started strong with Nick Masacro hitting a double to center field to get them on the board.
• Jacob Gutierrez made his first start of the season on the mound, pitching a clean first inning.
• However, USC’s Ethan Hedges hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second, sparking the Trojans’ scoring.
• Bakersfield got their second hit of the night in the top of the fifth when Evan Bennett singled up the mound, reaching first base. The Roadrunners battled hard, but USC added seven more runs, securing a 7-0 victory.

Game 1 vs Nevada (7-4)

• Bakersfield traveled to Nevada immediately after their game against USC. Nevada entered the game with a 1-3 record, with their only win coming against Cal.
• Nevada struck first in the bottom of the first inning, scoring a single run. Bakersfield responded in the top of the third, bringing in two runs. Nick Mascaro drove in Brock Perriera with a ground out to second, and Elijah Pelayo added another run by stealing home, extending his lead as Bakersfield’s top base stealer for the year.
• Nevada answered back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, and they continued to score in the fifth. Bakersfield added a run in the top of the fifth when Pelayo singled to score Evan Cloyd.
• Bakersfield’s offense was quieted after that, with their last run coming in the top of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to catch Nevada. As a team, the Roadrunners tallied four runs off eight hits, with Pelayo standing out, contributing two RBIs and two stolen bases.

Game 2 vs Nevada

• Bakersfield baseball team exploded offensively, securing a 16-2 victory against Nevada on Saturday afternoon. The Roadrunners tallied 17 hits, marking their highest run total in a game this season, ranking among CSUB’s top 10 all-time. The pitching staff held Nevada in check for much of the game.
• After dropping the first game of the series 7-4, the Roadrunners (2-4) earned their first road win of the season. CSUB jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Nevada’s pitching held them scoreless for the next four innings.
• Bakersfield added five more runs in the sixth, followed by two in the seventh and four in the eighth. After six consecutive scoreless innings from the Roadrunner pitchers, Nevada managed a run in the bottom of the eighth, but Bakersfield sealed the win with a 16-2 score.
• Tyler Leroy led the offensive charge, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and five RBIs. Brock Perriera (3), Lewis Barnum V (2), Elijah Pelayo (2), and Tyrese Johnson (2) also had multi-hit games and combined for the remaining nine RBIs.
• On the mound, Shane McAlinden started for Bakersfield, throwing four innings while striking out two and allowing just one run. Michael Riley earned the win, pitching three scoreless innings and striking out two. Kanoa Morisaki closed out the game, allowing one run and three hits over two innings, with one strikeout.

Game 3 vs Nevada

• After tying the series at 1-1, Bakersfield aimed to take the final game of the series. Mascaro led off the first inning with a home run, his second of the season.
• Nevada responded in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs.
• Bakersfield quickly tied the game in the fourth inning, with another RBI from Pelayo. However, the Roadrunners' defense struggled to keep pace, and Nevada pulled away for a 12-4 win, clinching the series.

• Bakersfield hosted their second annual Welter Classic, hosting Pacific and Montana
• Maalia Cherry hit two home runs on the weekend, increasing her season total to 7, she is tied for third place in Bakersfield’s single season record
  • The single-season record is 12 (Christie Hills, 2006 & Ryane Peterson, 2010), and the CSUB career record is 26 (Amber Mills, 2003-06)
• For the first time since 2006 and 2007, CSUB won two consecutive home openers
  • 2006 beating Azusa Pacific 1-0, 2007 beating Chico State 6-0
  • Last season beating Montana 8-3, and this year beating Pacific 6-5
• CSUB currently has 12 home runs this season, the team single season record is 38 (2010)

Welter Classic

• The new look Roadrunners played in front of the home crowd for the first time this season, taking on Pacific
  • CSUB went down early 1-0 in the first, and did not tie it up till the third inning after a solo shot by Maya Molina-Villarreal
  • Pacific responded with four runs in the fifth inning on a pair of home runs
  • Bakersfield native and LIU transfer, Alexia Castro got Bakersfield back on the board with a single to center plating Kailey Yahya
  • Cherry made her first splash at home in the sixth with a solo home run of her own, narrowing the Tiger lead to 5-3
  • With two out in the bottom of the 7th inning, Castro would answer the call and hit a game tying two-run home run which led to a Kaia Johnson double to left center, and a Shay Fuimaono double that scored Johnson, bringing an exciting ending to the home opener
  • Christal Lopez pitched 2.2 innings holding Pacific scoreless and only allowing one hit, giving Bakersfield the opportunity to stay in the game
• Bakersfield’s other win came versus Montana by a score of 8-0
  • CSUB was looking to avenge their day one loss to the Grizzlies
  • Montana walked two Roadrunners in with the bases loaded in the second inning
  • Karissa Munsey had a pinch hit single to left field in the fifth inning to drive in Molina-Villarreal
  • Bakersfield’s big sixth inning put the Grizzlies away
    • Two extra base hits, a double from Fuimaono and home run from Cherry put the Roadrunners up 6-0
    • Jocelynn Molina had an RBI single to right field, Faith Steffany would follow that up with a sac fly to run rule Montana
  • Bailee Bustos pitched six innings and held them to two hits, this was her fifth complete game of the season

• Cal State Bakersfield wrapped up the regular season with two final home duals, including the Feud on the Field against Pac-12 rival Cal Poly.
  • The Roadrunners will now set their eyes on the Pac-12 Championships (Mar. 6) and the NCAA Championships (Mar. 20-22).
• CSUB has returned to national recognition with four `Runners recently recognized by FloWrestling in the national rankings at some point this season: Richard Castro-Sandoval (125), Gerrit Nijenhuis (174), AJ Ferrari (197), and Jake Andrews (32).
• FloWrestling ranked Cal State Bakersfield #28 as a team coming into this weekend while InterMat had the Roadrunners at #24 and The Open Mat ranks them #21.
• Former NCAA Champion AJ Ferrari is ranked the #13 Pound-for-Pound wrestler in the country by FloWrestling, which also ranks him #4 in the 197-pound weight class. The Open Mat ranks Ferrari #2 in the country while InterMat agrees with Flo at #4.
  • Ferrari is a perfect 14-0 on the season and has won 34-straight collegiate matches.
• Bakersfield native Jake Andrews is now 21-2 on the season. The `Runner heavyweight is nationally ranked as high as #16 (The Open Mat).
• The `Runners recognized seven seniors on Senior Day.

CSUB 11, California Baptist 30

• Friday, Feb. 21
• The visiting Lancers won the first three bouts, taking a 14-0 lead early on.
• Gerrit Nijenhuis (184) gutted out a 12-7 decision despite blood pouring from an open wound above his eye.
• #2 AJ Ferrari (197) returned to action after missing weeks due to an injury. He earned his first of two tech falls on the week, 20-4 over Eli Sheeran.
• Richard Castro-Sandoval (125) rounded out Bakersfield's bouts won, taking a 4-2 decision from his CBU counterpart.

CSUB 20, #30 Cal Poly 23

• Sunday, Feb. 23
• The Feud on the Field event featured Cal State Bakersfield hosting Cal Poly on the Main Soccer Field.
• The Roadrunners mounted a valiant comeback with an electric crowd behind them, but the visiting Mustangs held on for a 3-point Sunday afternoon.
• A major decision and a forfeit in the first two bouts gave Cal Poly a 10-0 advantage right out of the gate, but Bakersfield rallied.
• Hayden Zinkin (141) earned a 3-1 decision before Brock Rogers (149) posted an identical result against his counterpart, making the score 10-6.
• Cal Poly responded by winning the next three bouts, including bonus-point tech falls at 157 and 174, on the way to a 23-6 advantage.
• Gerrit Nijenhuis (184) got the comeback started, pinning #33 Daschle Lamer late in the third period.
• #2 AJ Ferrari (197) dominated his foe for a 19-2 tech fall early in the third period, pulling the `Runners within six points of the Mustangs.
• #16 Jake Andrews (HWT) had his opponent on his back, but was unable to get the pin before posting a 7-1 decision.
• Schedule & Links

• The Roadrunners remain in the hunt for the Big West Championships as the sweep UC Davis
• Jemel Jones is 43 points away from breaking the single season scoring record
  • Recently reset by Kaleb Higgins last season (572)
• Fidelis Okereke records a double-double in Davis (14 points, 11 rebounds)
• Tom Mark made his return Thursday night in Davis, stuffing the stat sheet with 14 points (3-3 FG, 2-2 3FG, 6-6 FT), six rebounds, four blocks, and a steal

CSUB 71, UC Davis 66

• Bakersfield earned their first road win in Davis since 2003, and their first three game winning streak when facing the Aggies since the 1990s
• Tom Mark, Fidelis Okereke, and Marvin McGhee IV left their mark on this game all scoring 14 or more
  • McGhee IV had 18 (7-13 FG, 4-7 3FG), giving an immediate spark to the CSUB offense as CJ Hardy went down with an injury
• Kadar Waller had a big game as well, pulling down eight rebounds, dishing out four assists and scoring four points in the victory
• CSUB dominated the boards, outrebounding UCD 46-24, the Aggies only had seven offensive rebounds

UCI 73, CSUB 64

• CSUB had the Anteaters on upset watch in the Icardo Center Saturday night
• The Bakersfield defense held UCI scoreless for nearly the first six minutes of the game, as they started 0-for-9 from the field and held them to 33% from the field in the half
• The Rod Barnes defense ultimately forced Irvine to commit 16 turnovers which the Bakersfield offense converted into 23 points
• The Roadrunners lost the rebound battle, 42-29 which helped UCI greatly scoring 16 second chance points on their 14 offensive rebounds

• The Cal State women’s basketball team is winding down their season, with Ary Dizon making her mark in the CSUB record books. She now ranks second all-time for blocks in a single season, surpassing Kayla Morris, who previously was ranked second with 57 blocks. Over the weekend, Dizon recorded a total of six blocks getting her to a total of 62 blocks, still behind Jazmyne Bartee who has 74 total blocks.

UC Davis

• Bakersfield faced the UC Davis Aggies to kick off Homecoming weekend. In their previous meeting, it was one of the Roadrunners' first matchups of the season.
• This time, they kept the game closer, only losing by a 21-point margin compared to the 44-point defeat earlier in the season.
• Freshman Ileana Feliz had her best game of the season, scoring 11 points while shooting 100% from the field and grabbing 6 rebounds.
• Senior Taylor Caldwell also contributed significantly, matching Feliz with 11 points and adding 6 rebounds.

UC Irvine

• Bakersfield hit the road to take on the UC Irvine Anteaters, who were ranked among the top teams in the conference.
• The Roadrunners performed well in the first half, scoring 18 points, but Irvine pulled away with 31 points of their own. Once again, Dizon led the charge, contributing 14 points, three blocks, and 11 rebounds.
• Ally Dioli and Taylor Caldwell also had solid performances. Dioli finished with 11 points, four rebounds, and one block, while Caldwell tallied 12 points, two steals, one block, and three rebounds.

Sunbird Invitational – Saturday, Feb. 22

• The Cal State Bakersfield’s track and field program opened up the 2025 season at the Sunbird Invitational.
• Hosted by Fresno Pacific University, CSUB had both programs out on the track for the first time since last May.
• In the season opener, the women’s 4x100m relay team consisting of Emilia Mandela, Makiah Parker, Amiera Hollis, and Alexis Pitts placed 2nd overall with a time of 47.39.
• The Roadrunners had 6 CSUB all-time marks at the meet.
• The highlight of the performances was Newcomer Emilia Mandela, who ran a 14.26 in the women’s 100mH, good for #7 all-time in program history. Mandela also placed second overall in the event.
• Other highlights on the women’s squad were Makiah Parker who ran 24.95 in the 200m (#17 in program history), Rain Gomez in the 1,500m crossed the finish line in 4:50.31 (#17 in program history), Ivy Miller in the 400mH finished in 65.15 (#11 in program history), and Griselda Padron threw a 140’2” (#18 in program history.
• The eager men’s squad had two athletes who placed first overall in their respective events – Jacob Yagers in the 1,500m and Javier Toro in both the shot put and hammer throw.
• Yagers ran a 3:54.20 in the event and beat the next finisher by over 4 seconds.
• Toro who is coming off an NCAA-qualifying season, had a productive first meet back. He threw a 204’03” in the hammer throw and a 52’03.25” in the shot put.
• Teammate Tom Richardson who had a season-ending injury last year, placed third overall in the men’s hammer throw with a mark of 180’.
• A transfer from Hartnell College, Ethan Lavina competed in the triple jump with a mark of 46’5.25” and a new #19 spot on the CSUB all-time list.
• Bakersfield is back in action on Saturday, Mar. 1 for the Gaucho Relays hosted by UC Santa Barbara.
• Schedule & Links