BAKERSFIELD, Cal. – A run-scoring single by Garrett Pierce with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning capped off a three-run rally as CSU Bakersfield (4-2) came from behind to pull out a 5-4 victory over the Tigers (3-1) in the opening game of their three-game weekend series on Friday night.
The Tigers owned a 4-2 lead and were three outs from their fourth consecutive win when the Roadrunners staged their rally. Jordie Hein led off the ninth with a single to left center. When Oscar Sanay followed with a double to left center, Sanay scored to cut the lead to 4-3. A sacrifice bunt by David Metzgar allowed Sanay to reach third base with one out. Catcher Logan Trowbridge tied the game when he doubled to left center. A single by Soloman Williams enabled Browbridge to reach third base. When Pierce singled in the winning run, CSU Bakersfield had a walk-off win.
The Roadrunners took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. With one out, Metzgar drew a walk. Chance Gusbeth followed with a single up the middle. After Williams struck out, both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. When Pierce reached base on an infield single, Metzger scored the first run of the game.
Junior righthander Chris Acker pitched out of the jam when he retired Allen Gwynn on a fly ball to rightfield.
In the second inning, the Tigers rallied to take a 3-1 lead. Senior Dominic Fratantuono led off with a single to right. After Brendan Butler lined out to centerfield, junior Peter Bowles tripled to rightcenter, driving in the tying run. After Brady Policelli struck out, shortstop Hunter Bennett drew a walk. Senior catcher Zach Fisher drove in the go-ahead with a single to center, giving Towson a 2-1 lead. Senior second baseman Pat Fitzgerald upped the Tigers' lead to 3-1 when he singled to left, driving in Bennett. Senior Brandon Gonnella grounded out to third base to end the threat.
Righthander Hayden Carter settled down and retired the next 11 batters until Fratantuono drew a walk in the sixth inning.
In the fourth inning, CSU Bakersfield rallied to cut its deficit to 3-2. With one out, Nick Vehlewald singled to center. With two outs, Hein doubled down the left field line as Vehlewald scored all the way from first base. Sanay grounded out to end the inning.
Acker pitched into the sixth inning before he was relieved by sophomore righthander Lee Lawler. Lawler retired the first four hitters he faced. But, with two outs in the seventh, he suffered control problems. He issued back-to-back walks to Sanay and Metzgar. However, Lawler pitched out of the inning when Trowbridge lined out to right.
The Tigers had taken a 4-2 lead in the top of the seventh. Bennett singled with two outs and went to second base on a balk. Fisher singled to right center, scoring Bennett to give Towson a 4-2 lead.
In the top of the eighth inning, the Tigers missed a chance to extend their lead. A leadoff walk to Gonnella and a two-out walk to Butler put runners on first and second. When Bowles singled to left, Gonnella tried to score. However, Pierce threw him out at the plate.
Acker allowed only two runs on four hits in 5.1 innings. He walked one and struck out three. Lawler pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.
Bowles led the Tigers' 10-hit attack with three hits and one RBI. Fisher had two hits and drove in a pair of runs while Bennett singled twice and scored two runs.
Towson and CSU Bakersfield will play the second game of the series on Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. (PST).
