Sports Editor
The Roadrunners broke their eight-game losing streak by sweeping Utah Valley at Brent Brown Ballpark. In a three-game series April 14-15 in Orem, Utah, the CSU Bakersfield baseball team outscored the Wolverines 20-11.
“This was a quality weekend for us and we look to build on it moving forward,” said Head Coach Jeremy Beard to gorunners.com.
“Seeing these guys compete the way they did shows their ability to stay together and never give in.”
The Roadrunners defeated Utah Valley 7-3 on Sunday, April 15.
Senior Andrew Penner hit safely in two out of his five at-bats, with two runs scored. Freshman Evan Berkey hit 2-for-4 and had a run scored.
Junior Jake Ortega got CSUB on the scoreboard first, with a RBI single in the third inning. CSUB led 1-0 after three innings.
Utah Valley responded with two RBIs of their own in the fifth by freshmen Pacen Hayes on a homer and a double by senior Trevor Peterson. Utah Valley led 2-1 going into the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Penner scored on a single to left center field by Ryan Koch in the sixth to tie the game at 2. Two batters later, the Roadrunners took the lead again after Jassen Oliver scored Koch. The Roadrunners led 3-2 after six.
CSUB (13-21, 4-5 WAC) added three more runs to sweep the series at Utah.
Elijah Parks started for CSUB, who threw 91 pitches, struck out two and only walked two. Parks got his third win this season, improving his record to 3-1.
Davonte Butler earned his first save of the year with three-innings’ work. Butler gave up one run in the 12 batters he faced.
After waiting a day due to a weather delay of snow, CSUB and Utah Valley played a double header on Saturday, April 14.
The Roadrunners won game 1, by a score of 6-2 and game 2, by another slim margin of 7-6.
In game 1, the hitters had a field day from CSUB. They recorded 14 hits in in the win, with the bulk of their runs coming in the sixth and seventh innings. Senior Alec Daily earned his third win of the season. Daily pitched five innings and struck out five Wolverines in 112 pitches. Ben Cutting got his first CSUB save to seal the victory.
In game 2, CSUB had to rally to overcome Utah Valley. The Roadrunners trailed 5-1 after seven innings.
Penner began the rally with a double to left center, which scored Berkey. Then, Koch scored on fielding error from Utah Valley shortstop Trevor Howell and CSUB’s Luis Martinez scored on a fielder’s choice from third base to cut the Utah Valley lead to 5-4.
Sergio Robles had patience at the plate in the same inning, and drew a bases loaded walk, tying the game at five.
Christian Deaton and Sergio Robles both crossed home plate to take a 7-5 lead on a throwing error from catcher Skyler Davis.
The Roadrunners host the University of Hawaii tonight at 6 p.m for a nonconference game.
Sacramento State will visit Hardt Field April 20-22 for a WAC set. The Friday and Saturday games are at 6 p.m. The Sunday finale will begin at noon.
CSUB is tied in fifth with UTRGV at 4-5 in WAC as of April 16.
Photo by Ricky Gonzales/ The Runner
