Fresno State at Cal State Bakersfield Preview

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Interstat) — Fresno State visits Cal State Bakersfield on Tuesday at Hardt Field, with the Bulldogs (13-31-1) looking to build on a rare road win and the Roadrunners (19-27-1) seeking to halt a three-game skid.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Fresno State is coming off a 5-4 victory at Washington State on Sunday, snapping a four-game losing streak. Pitcher Jordan Haver earned the win in a scoreless relief appearance, tossing 4 2/3 innings without allowing a hit while striking out four. Haver, a key arm for the Bulldogs, has been effective lately, posting a 1.29 ERA over his last 10 1/3 innings across four appearances. He faced Cal State Bakersfield on April 14, throwing three scoreless innings in a 10-6 Fresno State win.

Cal State Bakersfield is reeling after a 19-9 loss to UC Santa Barbara on Sunday, its third straight defeat. Outfielder Nick Mascaro went 2-for-4 with three RBIs in that game, providing a bright spot for an offense that has scored just 13 runs during the losing streak. Mascaro is hitting .300 over his last five games but was 0-for-3 in the earlier meeting with Fresno State.

The teams met April 14 in Fresno, with the Bulldogs winning 10-6. Fresno State has taken two of the last three meetings in the series.

Both teams have struggled this season, with Fresno State owning the worst winning percentage among the two. The Bulldogs have lost 10 of their last 12 games. Cal State Bakersfield has dropped five of its last seven. The Roadrunners are 10-11 at home, while Fresno State is 4-16 on the road.

Tuesday’s game is the final nonconference matchup for both teams before league play resumes. Fresno State opens a three-game home series against UNLV on Friday. Cal State Bakersfield hosts UC San Diego for a three-game set beginning Friday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 Cal State Bakersfield win, but Fresno State’s pitching staff enters with some momentum, while the Roadrunners’ struggling bullpen has a 6.89 ERA over the last five games.