BAKERSFIELD, California (March 4, 2017)—A couple rallies could not overcome spotting CSU Bakersfield an early 7-0 lead as BYU baseball lost 7-5 on Saturday afternoon.

BYU dropped to a 4-6 record as it lost the rubber match to the Roadrunners who improved to 8-3.  CSUB took a 2-0 lead after scoring in the first and second innings before plating five runs in the third frame.

“We let the game get away from us in the third inning by Kendall's (Motes) inability to command the zone. Our relievers who came in just couldn't stop the bleeding,” said BYU coach Mike Littlewood.

“Offensively we hit the ball hard time after time but it was either right at them, or they made diving plays. They (CSUB) are a team made up of juniors and seniors who play with a lot of confidence. Today they made all the plays, so I guess we tip our hats.”

Cougar Brock Hale kept his hitting streak alive at 11 games when he led off the second inning with a single.

Nate Favero, who went 3-for-3 in a substitute role, scored BYU’s first run of the afternoon with a one-out single in the sixth inning and eventually scored on a Bronson Larsen sac-fly.

BYU shortstop Daniel Schneemann led off with a triple in the eighth, then scored off Favero’s double for the only Cougar extra base hits in the game. Favero scored BYU’s third run of the game when Keaton Kringlen singled for his third time in the contest.

The two-run ninth inning had the potential for BYU to take the lead when Hale flew out on the warning track with two aboard to end the game.  Kyle Dean opened that inning with a single and scored two outs later after Brennon Anderson, Schneemann and Favero hit three consecutive singles.

The Cougars next play against UC Santa Barbara as they open the home season Thursday at 5 p.m., to start a four-game series.

A return to California against CSU Bakersfield provides BYU’s baseball team an opportunity to work through issues in week three of the season.

The Cougars, 3-4, are hosted by the Roadrunners, 6-2, who are on a five-game win streak.  Games are Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m. PST, followed by a noon finale on Saturday.

“I don't believe our record is indicative of how well we've been playing,” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said.  “Every one of our games have been so close we can point to one or two plays that have determined the outcome of each game. Once we start hitting on all cylinders we should be a very tough team to beat.”

There have been several bright spots in the pitching corps, but late inning rallies have haunted the Cougars. A pair of 3-2 losses in 10 and 13 innings plus a 4-2 loss last week are indicators BYU’s offense needs more consistency.

Maverik Buffo (1-1, 3.27) will start on the mound in Thursday’s opener, followed by Brady Corless  (1-0, 2.03) on Friday, with both games starting at 6 p.m.  PST. Saturday’s Cougar starting pitcher is Kendall Motes (0-0, 0.00) for the noon start.

Cougar pitchers combined for 20 strikeouts in the 13-inning 3-2 loss, including a dozen by Corless.  Buffo got his first victory last week with a 6-0 shutout, striking out eight in his six innings of work. Motes also threw a shutout in his five innings of work when he started last Saturday.

“CSUB is a good team that is off to a very hot start and we're excited to see if we can meet the challenge this week,” Littlewood said.

The Roadrunners have impressive wins over UC Santa Barbara and Utah, who won their respective leagues last season.

After the CSUB series, BYU returns to Provo for its home opener on March 9 which starts a four-game stand against UC Santa Barbara.

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