Assistant Sports Editor
In game two of the three game series, the CSU Bakersfield baseball team lacked the run support to win. It was not until the last inning that the Roadrunners plated their first run and eventually lost to New Mexico State University, 9-3, at Hardt Field.
“We’re not getting a lot of production right now offensively and that’s a struggle,” said Head Coach Jeremy Beard. “When you don’t have that momentum going into those middle innings, it’s hard playing from behind.”
Senior Naithen Dewsnap started on the mound for CSUB. He is the primary closer for the Roadrunners but last night got the call that he was going to start.
“[Coach Beard] called me up last night, actually while I was eating dinner and told me I was starting,” said Dewsnap.
Before his start, Dewsnap’s career highs were 58 pitches in 2.2 innings and 4 strikeouts.
Dewsnap pitched well in his first start going 5.1 innings, giving up 5 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits and striking out 3 batters on 83 pitches. He also hit three batters and had a costly error in the sixth inning that eventually opened the floodgates of scoring for NMSU.
Both starting pitchers came out strong and neither opposing offense could find a way to rally hits to score even a single run. Jonathan Groff for the Aggies didn’t allow a CSUB hit until the top of the fourth inning. Groff pitched 8 strong innings allowing no runs on 4 hits and 4 strikeouts.
The Aggies scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning. A bunt single started the inning off followed by another bunt that forced a Dewsnap error, letting the runner at first advance to third. A sac fly to short center scored the first run of the game for the Aggies.
Two straight hit-by-pitches loaded the bases for NMSU and Aggies infielder Caleb Henderson hits a bases clearing double right after to expand the lead to, 4-0. Henderson scored after another single by the Aggies and makes it, 5-0.
The Aggies hit around and had a total of 10 batters come up to bat in the top of the sixth inning.
NMSU added three more runs in the top of the seventh inning. Two singles to begin the inning and another double by Henderson of the Aggies drove in the first two runs and an error by CSUB shortstop Evan Berkey, scored Henderson on the next at-bat.
The Aggies plated one more run in the top of the eighth inning and held a commanding 9-0 lead over the Roadrunners.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Roadrunners tried their best to make a comeback. Senior Andrew Penner lead off the inning with a single to right field, extending his on-base streak to 28 games.
“I actually did not know that. It’s good though, I’m just trying to get on base and help my team out,” said Penner on his streak.
A triple by senior Luis Martinez, who came into the game as a pinch hitter, drove in Penner from first and put the Roadrunners on the board.
Two more singles and a wild pitch helped CSUB score another run but it was not enough as the Roadrunners lost to the Aggies, 9-3.
CSUB (10-19, 1-4 WAC) looks to salvage the series against NMSU (18-13, 5-3 WAC) and hope to take the final game of the three game series.
The final game will be Sunday, April 8 at noon.
Photo by Ricky Gonzales/ The Runner
