BAKERSFIELD (Interstat) — Steele Murdock struck out nine over four hitless innings and UC San Diego’s bullpen combined for nine more strikeouts as the Tritons defeated Cal State Bakersfield 4-2 on Friday night at Hardt Field in a Big West Conference game.

Murdock, who also threw seven hitless innings in his previous start May 1 at Long Beach State, allowed no hits and walked none while facing the minimum 12 batters. He was lifted after the fourth inning having thrown 54 pitches. Devon King followed with three innings of no-hit relief, striking out four, and Nathan Huy added two scoreless frames with one strikeout to preserve the lead.

UC San Diego improved to 21-24 overall and 12-11 in the Big West. Cal State Bakersfield fell to 20-28 and 9-15.

The Tritons scored all four of their runs in the first five innings. Shortstop Anthony Potestio went 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, a hit by pitch and one RBI. Left fielder Addison Klepsch drove in a run with a single and center fielder Alex Leopard doubled and scored.

Cal State Bakersfield starter Ryan King allowed two earned runs on one hit in three innings. Saul Bolivar gave up two runs on three hits in 1 2/3 innings. Ethan Myers threw 4 1/3 innings of one-hit relief with five strikeouts.

UC San Diego grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Potestio was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Tritons added a run in the third on a bases-loaded walk to third baseman T. Martinez.

The decisive rally came in the fourth. After designated hitter Delshaun Lanier walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, Potestio tripled to left-center to drive him in. Klepsch followed with an RBI single to make it 4-0.

Cal State Bakersfield scored both of its runs in the fifth inning, both unearned. With two outs and the bases loaded, first baseman Bennett grounded to first base, but the throw home was late, allowing Miller Tai to score. Designated hitter Morisaki then hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Cloyd, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

The Roadrunners threatened again in the seventh when Bennett and Morisaki were both hit by pitches, but King struck out Pelayo to end the inning. UC San Diego’s defense turned a double play in the third and catcher caught Morisaki stealing in the seventh.

Potestio singled in the eighth but was left stranded. The Tritons went down in order in the ninth, striking out three times against Myers.

UC San Diego and Cal State Bakersfield continue the three-game series Saturday and Sunday at Hardt Field. The Tritons then host Cal State Fullerton next week, while the Roadrunners travel to UC Irvine.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of UC San Diego 5, Cal State Bakersfield 4, and the Interstat ELO system had given the Tritons a 68.00 percent probability to win.