BAKERSFIELD, Calif. --- CSU Bakersfield took the first game of a double header before overcoming an early deficit in the second to sweep the Portland Pilots in non-conference baseball played on Friday at Hardt Field. The Roadrunners claimed the double header by scores of 7-3 and 6-3.
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CSUB (5-2) jumped ahead in the first game 2-0 before the Pilots (1-5) came storming back, courtesy a two-run double by Ryan Hoogerwerf. With two on and two out in the top of the fourth inning, Hoogerwerf put one off the wall in left, just missing a home run. Dutton Elske and Cody Hawken both came into score, which made it 2-2.
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The Roadrunners responded with three runs to re-claim the lead, before Hoogerwerf struck again, this time with a solo homer. His blast to left, which was his first of the season, cut the Pilots deficit to 5-3 in the sixth.
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CSU Bakersfield would then score two more in the bottom of the sixth to seal the win.
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The Pilots began the second game with three runs in the top of the first inning as Hawken and Hoogerwerf went back-to-back with a pair of homers. Hawken's was a two-run blast, while Hoogerwerf's came with the bases empty. It's the second home run of the season for both players.
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The Roadrunners answered with a run in the bottom of the first before scoring five more unanswered en route to the win.
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Portland's second game starter Jordan Horak (0-2) takes the loss, after allowing all six runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings. Camden Muller was solid in relief, striking out four in 3.1 innings. He didn't issue a walk and surrendered only one hit. Connor Knutson pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
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The first game only went a pre-determined seven innings, and Portland starter Grady Miller (0-2) is saddled with the loss. He also went 3.2 innings, yielding three runs on three hits, while fanning four. Marty Luckenbach and Cameron Richman followed Miller on the mound.
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Mahlik Jones (1-0) was the game one winner for CSUB, while Andrew Hansen picked up the win in the second game.
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Next the Pilots and Roadrunners conclude their four-game series with the finale tomorrow, which is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.
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