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THIS WEEK
The Roadrunners have a busy week ahead, playing six consecutive days as part of the 31st Annual Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic, hosted by Fresno State. Action begins Monday, Mar. 9 with CSUB taking on the University of Buffalo at 2 p.m. On Tuesday, CSUB faces defending National Champion Fresno State at 6:05 p.m. CSUB's Wednesday opponent is the University of Portland (2 p.m.). The schedule then repeats itself Thursday through Saturday.
'RUNNER RECAP
CSUB went 1-3 in its four-game series with Utah on Feb. 27-Mar. 1. The ?Runners got in an early hole in all four games, but were able to battle back in the second match-up. They used a four-run second inning and five-run eighth inning to claim a 10-8 win. Jeremy Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, Brandon Boren was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs and Kyle Richardson cleared the bases with a 3 RBI double. After hitting .214 in the opening four games, Boren was 8-for-15 (.533) against Utah, moving his overall average to .379.
Bakersfield's starting pitching struggled in the series, giving up a combined 49 hits and 30 runs. Out of the bullpen, Martin Medina picked up his second career save, while freshman Spenser Messmore provided a pair of scoreless innings of relief. In six total innings of work, Messmore has not allowed a run, while striking out two, walking one and giving up four singles.
SCOUTING BUFFALO
Buffalo is 4-3 with wins over Iona (twice), William and Mary and IPFW. Prior to tournament play, the Bulls play a pair of games against Fresno State.
Pitcher/designated hitter Chris Ciesla leads the squad with a .423 batting average. Six of his 11 hits have been for extra bases, including a home run. Outfielder Adam Skonieczki is hitting .400 with three doubles and 11 runs.
On the mound, Pierre Miville-Deschenes has a 1.35 ERA and has recorded two of the Bills four wins. He has given up just eight hits while striking out 14 in 13.1 innings. Mike Stangroom has a 1.80 ERA and one win in two starts. The pitching staff as a whole holds a 6.21 ERA.
SCOUTING FRESNO STATE
Defending National Champion Fresno State has started the 2009 season with a 3-4 mark. The Bulldogs lost four starting pitchers from the championship squad, but return six starters and 14 total letterwinners. Prior to tournament play, Fresno State hosts Buffalo for a pair of games.
Sophomore shortstop Danny Muno has been the main source of offense so far this season, batting .429 with two doubles, a home run and six runs. Junior third baseman Tom Mendonca is batting .280 with a pair of home runs and a team-high eight RBIs.
On the mound, right handed starting pitchers Jake Floethe and Taylor Garrison have each recorded a win and hold respective ERAs of 0.69 and 1.59.
FRESNO STATE IN THE POLLS
In the first regular-season USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 baseball coaches' poll (Mar. 2), Fresno State is receiving votes. In the Mar. 2 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association top 30 poll, the Bulldogs come in at No. 24.
SCOUTING PORTLAND
The University of Portland is 5-4 overall, entering a three-game series with UC Davis on Mar. 6-8. The Pilots took 2-of-3 from Utah Valley, 2-of-3 from Southern Utah and 1-of-3 from BYU. Bryant Kraus has powered the Portland offense so far this season, batting .471 with 16 hits, including five doubles and two home runs, and 11 RBIs. Beau Fraser has also gotten off to a hot start, batting .423 with 11 hits, including three doubles, and five RBIs.
Sophomore lefty Scott Burris is off to a 2-0 start on the mound. He has struck out 10 while giving up just eight hits and three earned runs, and holding opponents to a .186 batting average. Senior RHP Mark Triolo is 2-1 with a 4.41 ERA and sophomore RHP Brent Miller has a pair of saves for the Pilots.
ON DECK
The Roadrunners take a weeklong break from action, the travel to San Luis Obispo on Friday, Mar. 20 and Saturday, Mar. 21 for a pair of games against Cal Poly. First pitch Friday is 6 p.m. and first pitch Saturday is 1 p.m.
TOUGH SCHEDULE
Bakersfield's inaugural schedule has been listed as the 29th toughest in the nation, according to a strength of schedule ranking by boydsworld.com. CSUB has 21 games against 10 opponents ranked above them on the strength of schedule list, including No. 8 Cal Poly, No. 11 Pacific, No. 13 UC Davis, No. 14 UC Riverside, No. 16 Loyola Marymount, No. 18 UC Santa Barbara, No. 21 San Francisco, No. 22 Saint Mary's and No. 24 Cal State Northridge.
TOGETHER AGAIN
Bakersfield is the fourth school coaches Bill Kernen and Jody Robinson have worked at together. The two were assistants at Cal State Fullerton in the late 1970's through 1981. During that time, the Titans, who had just made the transition to Division I in 1975, earned five NCAA Tournament appearances, including two trips to the College World Series and a national championship title in 1979. They also teamed up briefly in 1988, both serving as assistants to former Titan Head Coach Augie Garrido, this time at the University of Illinois. In 1991, Kernen was in his second season as the head coach at Cal State Northridge, leading the Matadors through the transition from DII to DI play. Robinson joined the staff as an assistant coach, helping CSUN to a 44?18?1 record, the West Regional championship game and a top 10 ranking in the final NCAA Division I poll in its first season of DI play.
HARDT FIELD
Coming from the 99 Freeway (north or south) exit at Ming Ave. and proceed WEST to Haggin Oaks Blvd. (approximately four miles). Turn right on Haggin Oaks to Camino Media. Turn left on Camino Media. Turn right into campus on Roadrunner Drive and park in Lot E or I. Hardt Field is located west of Lot E.
TICKETS, PLEASE
Ticket information for all Roadrunner home baseball games may be found online at GoRunners.com or by calling the CSUB Athletics Ticket Office at (661) 654-BLUE.
NEED MORE INFO?
For all of the most up-to-date information about CSUB Baseball and all other Roadrunner sports, check out the CSUB Athletics Web site at: GoRunners.com.
