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Pictured Above: Jason Gordon (Photo by Katie Carlson) 
 
Bakersfield, CA – The Wagner baseball team couldn't overcome a three-run fifth inning by the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners on Sunday, falling 4-2 in the series finale. 
With the loss, the Seahawks are still in search of their first victory of the season as they stand at 0-5-1 while the Roadrunners improve to 8-6 on the season.

Sophomore right-hander Austin Goeke (Bordentown, NJ/The Hun School) tossed in five innings of one-hit ball despite picking up a no-decision as he allowed a season-high three walks (two HBP) while striking out a batter.  His counterpart, Nick Rogowski, recorded a complete game, six-hitter while striking out nine Seahawks en route to his second win of the season.

CSU Bakersfield fired the opening salvo as Soloman Williams connected a solo homerun to right centerfield in the bottom of the second inning.
 
Wagner responded in top of the fourth as junior Ben Ruta (West Windsor, NJ/West-Windsor Plainsboro South) laced a double that ricocheted off the top of the right field fence but remained in the ballpark. Sophomore Nick Mascelli (Clifton, NJ/Seton Hall Prep), traditionally the Green & White's lead-off hitter, batted for the first time this year fourth, advanced Ruta to third with a sacrifice bunt.
 
Sophomore Brendan Benecke, fresh off his 2-for-4 performance in Saturday's contest, recorded his third RBI of the season as he smacked a grounder to the third base side, allowing Ruta to come across to tie the game at one.
 
In the visitors fifth, senior backstop Jason Gordon (Baltimore, MD/Archbishop Curley) singled up the middle.  After a lengthy nine-pitch at-bat against Rogowski, senior Tommy Mazurkiewicz (Neshanic Station, NJ/Somerville) advanced Gordon to second with a grounder.   After Evan Fardella (Bartonsville, PA/Pocono Mountain East) struck out swinging, senior Nick Dini (Monroe Township, NJ/Monroe Township), who has started in 170 straight games, drew a six-pitch free pass but the Seahawks rally was stopped as freshman Phil Dickinson (Wenonah, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) lined out to the center fielder.
 
Goeke was relieved in the sixth by southpaw junior Paul Mammino (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough). The first batter to greet Mammino was Joey Sanchez, who the Hillsborough, New Jersey was able to punch-out on a swinging third strike.  The next CSUB batter, Williams, connected on his second hit of the contest and first since his second inning round-tripper. Chance Gusbeth followed the Williams hit with a double down the right field line as Williams cruised into third.
 
Senior righty Max Schmardel (Eatontown, NJ/Monmouth Regional) was the second reliever brought in to pitch for the Seahawks.  Schmardel had Mylz Jones in a count to his advantage, 1-2 and on the fourth-pitch of the at-bat, Jones singled to right field, bringing Williams home as CSUB took a 2-1 lead. After
Following a walk to Garrett Pierce, Logan Trowbridge recorded the fourth hit of the stanza with single to right center, plating across two as CSU Bakersfield increased their lead to 4-1. Wagner's defense was able to escape without further damage with an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.
 
The Seahawks had one last chance in the top of the ninth. Mascelli doubled down the right field line after connecting on the fifth-pitch of the at-bat.  After Benecke flied out for the first out, freshman Kyle Cala (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) sent a deep, fly ball to right center, as Mascelli tagged up on the play and advanced ninety-feet. 

On a 0-2 pitch, Gordon singled up the middle, scoring Mascelli to cut the deficit in half, 4-to-2.  Newcomer Kyle Brey (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) pinch hit for Mazurkiewicz and proceeded to walk on four pitches.  Senior Trey Nicosia (State College, PA/State College Area) replaced Fardella and couldn't advance the runners as he lined out to centerfield to end the game.

The Seahawks will conclude their West Coast trip as they travel to Fresno State on Tuesday, March 10^th and Wednesday, March 11^th.
 
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