Sports Editor
The finale of CSU Bakersfield and Dartmouth College came down to the last three innings. On Sunday, March 18, the Roadrunners won 7-5 at Hardt Field over the Big Green in a game that the Roadrunners grinded out the win.
The Roadrunners and the Big Green traded runs in the 7th and 8th innings before senior sidearm Naithen Dewsnap closed out the 9th for the win. Dewsnap got his fourth save of the season in the finale.
Junior catcher Ryan Koch led CSUB in offense in the win and has improved since the beginning of the season. Koch went 3-3 with 2 RBI doubles and a walk. CSUB won 3 of 4 from Dartmouth, their first series win at home and second overall.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence swinging the bats. We have a new approach going on,” said Koch.
The Roadrunners’ (9-12) 7 runs on 10 hits in the finale win catapulted them to their victory. Stolen bases came early and often for CSUB. The Roadrunners set a new record in 8 stolen bases in the win against Dartmouth (3-8).
“You can see it in this whole series. We’ve got something good going into conference,” added Koch.
Aaron Charles (2-3, 6.33 ERA) started the game for CSUB. Charles pitched 5 innings and threw 101 pitches for the win. A season high that didn’t seem to bother him.
“I feel good. I’ll ice it up later,” said Charles. ‘I’ll be ready for my next start.”
Charles’ next start is projected to be next week in CSUB’s first WAC set at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, beginning Friday, March 23-35.
CSUB tacked on 3 runs in the first off execution and an error.
They added three runs total in the 5th, 7th and 8th, in a game that they never trailed but felt the pressure from Dartmouth.
“It’s difficult to beat a team three out of four. That’s a quality club,” said Head Coach Jeremy Beard about Dartmouth.
“It’s nice to round up our preseason on a positive note. We see our guys’ growth throughout the last few weeks.”
Beard said about Koch’s performance, “When he gets out of his game plan, he’s a different animal. When he’s in it, he’s a good a hitter as anyone we have.”
Beard said Charles did not throw his best stuff, but he wanted to get his pitch count up. “We stayed with him a little longer and he battled through.”
The Big Green were able to get to Charles in the 6th. He gave up three runs on two hits in the sixth.
Kyle King and Naithen Dewsnap closed out Dartmouth. The duo pitched two innings each and limited the Big Green to 2 runs.
“We’re ready to go for conference. It’s been a long preseason honestly,” said Charles.
In game two, on Friday, March 16, Dartmouth beat CSUB 11-9 in an ugly game for the Roadrunners. They committed 4 errors.
CSUB bested Dartmouth in the third game, on Saturday, March 17, 9-4.
The Roadrunners will travel to San Diego State University Tuesday, March 20 for a single game.
On Friday, March 23, CSUB will begin its WAC play at UTRGV Friday, March 23-25.
