Box Score

Needing a win to avoid the first sweep in school history to a WAC opponent, the Dallas Baptist Patriots (21-19, 8-7) got a quality start from Cody Beam and fantastic relief work from Michael Smith to pull out a 7-3 win over conference-leading CSU-Bakersfield (27-14, 11-4). Beam (3-0) worked 5.2 innings to pick up the win, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out six. Smith worked the final 3.1 innings for his fourth save of the season, allowing no runs and two hits.
 
The Patriots opened the scoring in the second inning to take their first lead of the series. Justin Wall drew a leadoff walk and scored one batter later on a Chane Lynch triple. Austin Listi singled through the left side to score Lynch and, after a Nash Knight single, Ronnie Mitchell picked up two more RBI with a triple of his own to right centerfield to give DBU an early 4-0 lead.
 
The score would stay that way until the Roadrunners scored two runs in the fourth and one in the sixth to cut the lead to one. Beam gave way to Smith in the sixth after an error started off the inning and a soft RBI single with two outs ended his day with runners aboard on first and third. Smith induced a groundball to short to end the threat and keep the DBU lead at one heading to the seventh.
 
The Patriots would finally get back on the board in the eighth after collecting only three hits between the third and seventh innings. Michael Miller continued his 28-game reached base streak with a walk and McAlpine followed with a single through the right side. After a failed sacrifice bunt attempt and a walk to pinch hitter KJ Alexander, Listi singled home two runs with a base hit to center and DBU quickly increased their lead back to three. RJ Talamantes would pick up an RBI with a fielder's choice groundout and DBU took a 7-3 lead to the bottom of the eighth inning.
 
That would be more than enough for Smith as he was nearly untouchable in his 3.1 innings. Smith allowed only two baserunners in his time to pick up the save and struck out four. DBU will return to Horner Ballpark on Tuesday, April 23, as Baylor University will visit Dallas for a midweek matchup. First pitch is set for 6:30 pm with the Patriot Pregame Show to air at 6:05 pm.