BAKERSFIELD, Calif. --- The CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners jumped out to an early lead and never looked back en route to an 11-4 win over the Portland Pilots in the opener of a four-game series on Thursday afternoon at Hardt Field. Portland sophomore Cody Hawken hit a three-run homer during the loss.
 
The Roadrunners (3-2), who are coming off a win over No. 24 UCSB on Tuesday, took control of the game with five runs in the first two innings. CSUB's lead would swell to 10-0 before the Pilots (1-3) got on the board with the Hawken blast in the top of the eighth.
 
With two on and two out, Hawken sent a pitch high over the left field wall for his first home run of the season. Previously in the inning, Michael Forgione brought in Portland's first run with an RBI single to right field.
 
The Roadrunners would cap the scoring with their final run in the bottom of the eighth.
 
Portland starter Kevin Baker (0-1) suffers his first loss of the year after allowing five runs, only two earned, on five hits in 1.2 innings. Christian Peters and Connor Knutson followed Baker on the mound.
 
Max Carter (1-0) was solid in his start for the Roadrunners, fanning 11 in 8.0 innings. He also walked five, yielded three hits and was charged with all four of Portland's runs. Reliever Kenny Johnson tossed a perfect top of the ninth, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
 
The Pilots will look to recover tomorrow when the two teams continue the series with a double header. First pitch of game one is set for 2 p.m.