La Jolla, CA — The Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners capped off their series against UC San Diego with a big win to close out the weekend. Bakersfield’s offense exploded for 11 runs on 15 hits, with several players providing key moments. Nick Mascaro hit his sixth home run of the year, a three-run blast, which moved him into CSUB’s top 10 for home runs in a single season. Kanao Morisaki also added his first home run of the season, driving in three runs as well. These two home runs bring Bakersfield’s season total to 12, one more then last season’s total.

The Roadrunners wasted no time getting started Lewis Barnum V led off the game with a solid performance, setting the tone for the afternoon. In the second inning, momentum continued to build when Evan Cloyd singled to center field, bringing in Morisaki. With two runners on base, Mascaro launched a three-run home run to right field, giving the Roadrunners a 5-0 lead.

UC San Diego attempted to respond in the bottom of the second, with Jacob Gutierrez on the mound for the `Runners. The Tritons fought back, putting up two runs in the fourth inning to make it a 5-4 game.

Morisaki added a three-run home run in the top of the sixth, extending Bakersfield’s lead to 8-4. The Tritons continued to battle, scoring two more runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Michael Riley stepped up and held them off.

In the eighth inning, Noah Alvarez collected his first hit of the night, driving in a run. Elijah Pelayo capped off the scoring for the `Runners with a double down the left-field line, bringing in two more runs to seal the win. Riley continued to dominate, allowing just one run and two hits over the final innings.

This victory marks the first Big West series win under head coach Jordon Banfield and is Bakersfield’s first series win over UC San Diego since 2021.

Bakersfield will be back in action this Tuesday for a home game against Pacific at Hardt Field, starting at 6:30 p.m.to buy tickets, visit GoRunners.com/tickets.

~GoRunners.com~