Cal Poly baseball defeated CSU Bakersfield on Saturday by a final score of 9-5, clinching a series win and career victory number 700 for manager Larry Lee.
Lee’s 700th win is the 38th most among active Division I coaches. The winningest coach in Big West conference history has also now eclipsed 30 wins for the 13th time in 23 seasons at Cal Poly.
After winning the first two games of the series against the Roadrunners (17-31, 8-15 Big West), the Mustangs (30-15, 17-6) clinched their first Big West series win since Hawai’i on April 13.
After a come-from-behind victory on Friday, the Mustangs never trailed in Saturday’s contest, claiming the lead in the first inning on a Nate Castellon RBI single.
Castellon had a monster night, going 4-for-4 with two RBIs. The freshman shortstop has 14 hits in his last 25 at-bats. Castellon has moved up to fifth in the batting order after hitting in the bottom of the order for most of the season.
Four Mustangs had three hits or more in the win. Along with Castellon, sophomore third baseman Alejandro Garza, senior outfielder Casey Murray Jr. and senior outfielder Cam Hoiland all had three hits each.
Back in his hometown of Bakersfield, Garza went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Garza’s RBI double in the third inning kick-started a six-run frame for the Mustangs that blew the game wide open.
After trailing 9-1, Bakersfield added four late runs, including two in the ninth inning. The Roadrunners had the opportunity to take the lead in the first inning with one run in and the bases loaded with nobody out.
Mustang starter Josh Volmerding was able to weather the storm, getting a strikeout and double play to keep the teams tied at one. The ability to hold the Roadrunners to just one run in that inning ended up being crucial in the game, despite the score being a blowout for most of the evening.
Volderming was stellar, allowing just that run in six innings of work. On the heels of a career-high 11-strikeout outing, the sophomore lefthander fanned nine Roadrunners in the victory.
Limiting walks has been key to his recent success, and Volmerding only allowed one free pass on Saturday. When staying in the zone consistently, he can be dominant.
The Mustangs will look to go for the series sweep in a Sunday matinee back at Hardt Field in Bakersfield.