BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield opened the 2026 season with an 8-7 victory over Southern Indiana on Friday night at Hardt Field. The Roadrunners improved to 1-0 on the year, while the Screaming Eagles fell to 0-1.

Bakersfield used a four-run second inning to seize early control and withstood a dramatic ninth-inning rally to secure the Opening Day win.

After a scoreless first, the Roadrunners capitalized on traffic on the bases in the second. Elijah Pelayo delivered an RBI single to get CSUB on the board. Kanoa Morisaki followed with an RBI walk, Nick Mascaro added a sacrifice RBI groundout and Evan Cloyd capped the inning with an RBI single to give Bakersfield a 4-0 lead.

Southern Indiana responded with two runs in the third on an RBI single from Patrick McLellan and an RBI groundout by Jesse Velders, cutting the deficit to 4-2. The ‘Runners answered immediately, as Jacob May scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the third to extend the lead to 5-2.

Bakersfield added two more in the fourth. Garrett Teunissen laced an RBI single to left to score Cloyd, and Teunissen later crossed the plate on a fielding error to push the advantage to 7-2. Cloyd provided an insurance run in the sixth with a solo home run to left field, finishing the night 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.

Despite being limited to six hits, CSUB made the most of its opportunities, drawing four walks and taking advantage of three Southern Indiana errors.

On the mound, Ryan King struck out eight over four innings in his Opening Day start, allowing two earned runs. Alex Navarrete (1-0) earned the win with 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, working around three walks while striking out three. Jeter Schuerman added a scoreless inning out of the bullpen.

Southern Indiana mounted a late charge, scoring once in the eighth on an RBI single from Khi Holiday. The Screaming Eagles then plated four runs in the ninth, highlighted by a solo home run from Velders, an RBI single from Micajah Wall and an RBI double from Gavyn Boyle. Holiday added an RBI single later in the frame, but Boyle was thrown out at the plate on the play to halt the rally.

After a pitching change in the ninth, Jacob Gutierrez recorded the final out to earn his first save of the season and preserve the 8-7 victory.

Holiday led Southern Indiana with five hits and two RBIs in the loss.

CSU Bakersfield and Southern Indiana continue the series Saturday afternoon at Hardt Field.