A great all-around game from the Pacific Tiger’s baseball team helped them spoil CSU Bakersfield’s home opener Friday afternoon at Hardt Field. Pacific took the first game of this weekend’s series 12-4. It was the first game at Hardt Field in over a year. 

  “We did not play a complete game in any aspect. A few things went wrong early and I do not think we adjusted well as a ball club. We did a nice job getting to two outs, but we need to close out innings, make pitches and put our defense in play,” said CSUB head coach Jeremy Beard.  

  The Tigers came to Bakersfield ready to hit, scoring in the first inning thanks to a two out double followed by a two-run home run.  

  Though CSUB left Pacific scoreless in the second and third inning, Pacific went on to score for four straight innings. In the seventh inning the game broke open with the help of sunny skies. The right fielder lost the ball in the sun leading to an inside the park grand slam. Pacific lead 6-0 going into the seventh inning stretch. 

  CSUB made their first runs in the bottom of the seventh inning when senior Cody Holtz hit a tape measure three run homerun.  

  “I was hunting a fastball and looking for something to hit hard. I wanted to play loose today. It was my first time back on the field, I haven’t been here for the past few weeks and I was just excited to be out there with the boys,” said senior catcher Cody Holtz.  

  CSUB’s bats where quiet the whole game, except for the ‘Runners senior first baseman Tyler Jorgensen. He had great at-bats on Friday, going 3-for-4.  

  “They just beat us today, so we have to take this one on the chin and be better the rest of the series. It’s frustrating, but we just have to flush this and come ready to play tomorrow. If we do that than we can take control of the series and make them play with their backs against the wall,” said Tyler Jorgensen.  

  Pacific’s starting pitcher did not allow a run in his six innings of pitching, and their offense had 17 hits. 

  With the loss, CSUB falls to 1-3 overall early in the season. These two teams play a double-header on Saturday Mar. 6 at Hardt Field. Game one will begin at noon followed by Game 2 at 3 p.m.