2009 Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners baseball team

The 2009 CSUB Roadrunners baseball team represented California State University, Bakersfield in the NCAA Division I baseball season of 2009. The 2009 season was the inaugural season for the Roadrunners in baseball, with CSUB beginning the transition from Division II to Division I in 2006,CSUB commits to Div. I launching baseball in 2009, and completing the transition and eligible for the post season in 2011. A new stadium, Hardt Field, was built on the CSUB campus during the off-season and opened on opening day of the 2009 season. Launching ceremony: CSUB scores 4 in ninth, loses 8–7 in first-ever baseball game

The team was managed by Bill Kernen.

Pre-season In June 2006, CSUB president Horace Mitchell announced that CSUB would be moving to Division I, and entering a four-year reclassification process, which would require additional funds for the creation of a new baseball program. CSUB commits to Div. I

In August, 2008, before the schedule for Cal State Bakersfield's inaugural baseball season was released, coach Bill Kernen confirmed that the Roadrunners would play six games against Fresno State, the defending College World Series champion. 'Runners to play Fresno St. 6 times August 2008 also marked the groundbreaking of CSUB's Hardt Field, construction of which was completed in 28 weeks. The Roadrunners strength of schedule (SOS) was ranked an astounding 19th in the country.

Regular season CSUB entered the 2009 Baseball season with a competitive schedule, competing against multiple teams ranked in the top 30 in Collegiate Baseball poll, along with the 2008 National Champion Fresno State Bulldogs. CSUB opened the season at home against the St. Louis Billikens, in a three-game series which marked the first winning series for the Roadrunners, finishing 2–1 in the series. The second team faced by the Roadrunners was the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, ranked #30 in the Collegiate Baseball poll, which resulted in a 10–0 loss.

The 2009 Season found the team getting off to a .500 start in their first 6 games, including victories over St. Louis and Utah. However, after getting off to a good start, the Roadrunners went 1–14 in the month of March. During the course of the month, the Roadrunners met several in-state opponents, including San Jose State, St. Mary's, and San Francisco. The 'Runners also cemented a rivalry with the nearby Cal Poly Mustangs. The 'Runners also met their valley rivals, the Fresno State Bulldogs, winning one game of the three game series played in Beiden Field, and winning the first game of the homestand in a come from behind win, by a score of 17–12.CSUB Erupts For 22 Hits In 17–12 Win Over 'Dogs The Roadrunners' 4-3 victory over the Bulldogs on April 4 marked the first time that a first-year NCAA Division I baseball program defeated the defending College World Series champions.

Roster

Coaches Name Title First season at CSUB Alma materBill KernenHead coach2008–PresentUniversity of Redlands (1970)Jody RobinsonAssistant coach2008–PresentCal State Fullerton (1981)Dennis MachadoAssistant coach2008–PresentMontana State-Bozeman (2000)Bill GentryAssistant coach2008–2010Concordia University (2002)

Players (Inaugural Roster, 2009) Players Number Position Bats/Throws Hometown (Prev School)Akiyama, Matthew22SS/2BR/RTorrance, Calif. (Bishop Montgomery HS)Boren, Brandon32B/3B/SSR/RBakersfield, Calif. (Bakersfield College) (Stockdale HS)Branske, Garrett15C/RHPR/RChino, Calif. (Chino HS)Draxton, Erik37RHPR/RPark City, Utah (Phoenix College) (Park City HS)Escalera, Richard111BL/LBaldwin Park, Calif. (Mt. SAC) (South Hills HS)Gaston, Mick10OFR/RQuartz Hill, Calif. (Quartz Hill HS)Geisinger, Derek161BL/RGilbert, Ariz. (Phoenix College) (Highland HS)Henry, JJ263B/OFR/RDenver, Colo. (Phoenix College) (Cherry Creek HS)Jannis, Mickey55RHPS/RSparks, Nev. (Allan Hancock College) (Arroyo Grande HS)Jones, Sam40LHPR/LMorro Bay, Calif. (Allan Hancock College) (Morro Bay HS)Kudlock, Jason34RHP/OFR/RChandler, Ariz. (Chandler-Gilbert CC) (Hamilton HS)McIntyre, Ryan5OFL/RHenderson, Nev. (Coronado HS)Medina, Martin30INF/PR/RVentura, Calif. (Saint Bonaventure HS)Messmore, Spenser28RHPR/RGranada Hills, Calif. (Alemany HS)Mills, Joey1OFR/REnglewood, Colo. (Phoenix College) (Cherry Creek HS)Montoya, Jonathan19LHPL/LChino Hills, Calif. (Chino Hills HS)Richardson, Kyle14SSL/RSacramento, Calif. (Sierra JC) (Bella Vista HS)Rodriguez, Jeremy7CS/RThousand Oaks, Calif. (Crespi HS)Eric Sanchez2INFR/RCorona, Calif. (Santiago HS)Smith, Stuart25OFL/RVentura, Calif. (Buena HS)Valenzuela, Jacob12RHPR/RBakersfield, Calif. (Garces HS)Van Dam, Brandon18RHPR/RLancaster, Calif. (Quartz Hill HS)Walkley, Korie8RHPR/RBakersfield, Calif. (Centennial HS)

Schedule and results

|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 1'Runners Nearly Complete In Season Opener || February 20 || || 7–8 || Hardt Field || Turmail (1–0) || Jannis (0–1) || || 900Launching ceremony: CSUB scores 4 in ninth, loses 8–7 in first-ever baseball game || 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB" | 2Sweep success: CSUB baseball makes history twice on the same day || February 21 || Saint Louis || 4–2 || Hardt Field || Draxton (1–0) || Sever (0–1) || Medina (1) || 500 || 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB" | 3Sweep success: CSUB baseball makes history twice on the same day || February 21 || Saint Louis || 8–4 || Hardt Field || Montoya (1–0) || Buckham (0–1) || || 500 || 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="FFE6E6" | 4No. 30 Santa Barbara Tops 'Runners || February 22 || #30 || 0–10 || Hardt Field || Hollands (1–0) || Jones (0–1) || || 629 || 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="FFE6E6" | 5'Runners Flat in Loss To Utes || February 22 || || 1–12 || Hardt Field || Budrow (1–0) || Jannis (0–2) || || 365 || 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB" | 7Baseball Rallies Late To Claim Win || February 28 || Utah || 10–8 || Hardt Field || Kudlock (1–0) || Askew (0–1) || Medina (2) || 514 || 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="FFE6E6" | 8Baseball Rallies Late To Claim Win || February 28 || Utah || 6–7 || Hardt Field || Streich (1–0) || Medina (0–1) || || 514 || 3–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 9'Runners Open Tournament Play With 7–6 Loss to Buffalo || March 9 || || 6–7 || Beiden Field || Anderson (2–2) || Messmore (0–1) || || || 3–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 10CSUB Falls To Defending National Champion Fresno State || March 10 || || 1–16 || Beiden Field || Benny (1–1) || Draxton (1–1) || Morse (1) || 2017 || 3–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB" | 11Nine Run, Eighth Inning Fuels Win Over Portland || March 11 || || 9–7 || Beiden Field || Montoya (2–0) || Varce (1–3) || Valenzuela (1) || || 4–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="FFE6E6" | 13CSUB Comes Up Short in Offensive Battle With Buffalo || March 12 || Buffalo || 10–23 || Beiden Field || Ciesla(1–1) || Medina (0–2) || || || 4–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 14'Runners Nearly Upend Defending National Champs || March 13 || Fresno State || 2–3 || Beiden Field || Sprague (2–0) || Branske (0–1) || Bischoff (1) || 2575 || 4–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 15CSUB Falls to Pilots in Final Tournament Game || March 14 || Portland || 6–10 || Beiden Field || Brynteson (1–0) || Branske (0–2) || || || 4–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 16Baseball Drops 6–2 Decision To No. 16 Cal Poly || March 20 || || 2–6 || Baggett Stadium || Eskew (4–1) || Jannis (0–3) || || 1012 || 4–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 17'Runners Drop Second Straight to No. 16 Cal Poly || March 21 || Cal Poly || 3–15 || Baggett Stadium || Leonard (3–0) || Draxton (1–2) || Radeke (1) || 1063 || 4–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 18 CSUB Plays Cal Poly Tough, Mustangs Rally Late For Win || March 22 || Cal Poly || 2–10 || Hardt Field || Mauldin (3–1) || Montoya (2–1) || || 638 || 4–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 19CSUB Comes Up Short In Slugfest, 18–15 || March 23 || Cal Poly || 15–18 || Hardt Field || DeVincenzi (2–0) || Jones (0–3) || Massingham (2) || 398 || 4–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 20Baseball Falls 8–4 to San Jose State || March 27 || || 4–8 || Municipal Stadium || Berner (5–0) || Jannis (0–4) || || 401 || 4–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 21Yet Another Late Rally Comes Up Short For CSUB || March 28 || San Jose State || 10–13 || Municipal Stadium || Peterson (5–0) || Montoya (2–2) || || 535 || 4–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 22Spartans Take Series From 'Runners || March 29 || San Jose State || 2–17 || Municipal Stadium || Sobczak (4–0) || Van Dam (0–1) || || 420 || 4–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 23Draxton Near Flawless But Offense Strands A Dozen In Loss || March 30 || || 1–3 || Louis Guisto Field || Reid (2–3) || Draxton (1–3) || Berl (4) || 88 || 4–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 24Key Hit Evades 'Runners In Second Consecutive Outing || April 1 || || 4–5 || Hardt Field || Oropeza (1–1) || Jones (0–4) || Mott (1) || 299 || 4–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 25Baseball Drops Heartbreaker to Fresno State || April 3 || Fresno State || 8–9 || Beiden Field || Kendall (1–0) || Jannis (0–5) || Sprague (1) || 1951 || 4–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB" | 26'Runners Rally For Win Over Fresno State || April 4 || Fresno State || 4–3 || Beiden Field || Montoya (3–2) || Garrison (4–2) || || 2036 || 5–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 27CSUB Drops Mid-Series Game to Bulldogs || April 5 || Fresno State || 2–9 || Beiden Field || Sprague (3–0) || Draxton (1–4) || || 2158 || 5–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB" | 28CSUB Erupts For 22 Hits In 17–12 Win Over 'Dogs || April 7 || Fresno State || 17–12 || Hardt Field || Messmore (1–1) || Bischoff (1–4) || || 707 || 6–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB" | 29Boren’s Walk-Off RBI Single Push 'Runners Past Fresno State || April 8 || Fresno State || 3–2 || Hardt Field || Medina (1–2) || Escat (0–1) || || 704 || 7–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 30CSUB Falls 10–2 to Highlanders || April 9 || || 2–10 || Hardt Field || Bargas (4–2) || Jannis (0–6) || || 369 || 7–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 31UCR Pitching Dominates In CSUB Loss || April 10 || UC Riverside || 1–6 || Hardt Field || Andriese (3–1) || Montoya (3–3) || || 347 || 7–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB" | 32Kudlock Blasts Walk-Off Home Run in 15-Inning Thriller || April 11 || UC Riverside || 9–7 || Hardt Field || Medina (1–2) || Dickey (3–3) || || 493 || 8–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 33Errors Costly in 3–1 Loss to Matadors || April 14 || || 1–3 || Matador Field || Tremlin (4–1) || Van Dam (1–1) || Slover (4) || 137 || 8–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 34 Baseball Falls to Gauchos Despite Seven-Run Fifth Inning || April 15 || UC Santa Barbara || 7–8 || Caesar Uyesaka Stadium || Ford (4–3) || Draxton (1–5) || || 126 || 8–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 35 Baseball Falls to UC Santa Barbara, 17–2 || April 21 || UC Santa Barbara || 2–17 || Hardt Field || Meaux (3–0) || Draxton (1–6) || || 341 || 8–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 36 'Runners Drop Seesaw Battle With Wolf Pack || April 24 || || 6–7 || Peccole Park || Graham (2–2) || Messmore (1–2) || || 588 || 8–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 37CSUB Drops Second Straight To Nevada || April 25 || Nevada || 4–9 || Peccole Park || Garcia (3–4) || Montoya (3–4) || || 675 || 8–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 38Nevada Sweeps Series Against CSUB || April 26 || Nevada || 6–13 || Peccole Park || Achelpohl (4–3) || Jannis (0–7) || || 904 || 8–29 |-align="center" bgcolor="#D8FFEB" | 39 || April 28 || UC Santa Barbara || 8–6 || Caesar Uyesaka Stadium || Messmore (2–2) || Meals (2–2) || || 203 || 9–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 40 || April 29 || || 2–13 || Hardt Field || McClintick (4–1) || Van Dam (0–3) || || 384 || 9–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6" | 41 || May 5 || UCLA || 2–15 || Jackie Robinson Stadium || Claypool (2–1) || Montoya (3–5) || || 531 || 9–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFE6E6"