March 31, 2006

TURLOCK, Calif. - The No. 7 ranked Cal State Bakersfield softball team won its opening two games before rain halted play at the Togo's Tournament of Champions at Pedretti Park in Turlock Friday.

Bakersfield (32-5 overall) opened the day with a hectic 9-6 win over Western Oregon University in which the teams combined to make eight errors. They came back strong by beating Hawaii Pacific for the third time in three days, 10-2. The Roadrunners were scheduled to play Western Washington before a thunderstorm moved into the area and suspended play for the day.

The Roadrunners fell behind early in both games, but their explosive offense carried the day twice as they scored for 19 runs and pounded 23 hits. Senior first baseman Amber Mills (Simi Valley/Royal HS) led the way by going 5-for-7 and scoring five runs Friday.

Senior pitcher Christie Hill (Delano HS) came on in relief to earn her 14th win of the season against Western Oregon. She pitched one and two-thirds innings of shutout ball to help the Roadrunners maintain a 6-6 tie heading into the seventh inning.

Senior shortstop Renee Rubio (Duarte HS) lined a one-out double to left center in the top of the seventh. Mills followed by bouncing a single up the middle to score Rubio and ignite a three-run rally that secured the win.

Hawaii Pacific jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning of Bakersfield's second game before the Roadrunners responded with 10 unanswered runs to end the game in six innings due to the eight-run rule. Hill, who went the distance to improve to 15-4 on the season, broke a 2-2 tie with her ninth home run of the season leading off the fifth inning. Senior left fielder Carrie Hilvers (Bakersfield Christian HS) added a three-run home run to cap the six-run outburst.

Weather permitting, Bakersfield will return to action Saturday when it continues pool play at the Tournament of Champions against Western Washington at a time to be determined. The tournament is scheduled to run through Saturday in Turlock.

Game 1					R	H	E
Cal St. Bakersfield (31-5 overall, No. 7 NCAA DII)	000	204	3	-	9	12	3
Western Oregon (8-13 overall)	001	203	0	-	6	12	5

BATTIERIES: Daniels, Hill (6) and Taylor; Mink, Holstrom (6) and Foster. WP - Christie Hill (14-4). LP - Ashley Holstrom (2-6).
HITTERS: CSUB: Amber Mills 3x4, 3 runs, GW RBI; Bethany Snow 2x4, 2B, run, 2 RBIs; Renee Rubio 1x3, 2B, 3 runs; Cara Klein 2x4, 2B, run, 2 RBIs; Carrie Hilvers 2x4, run, 2 RBIs. WOU: Shannon Prochaska 1x5, 2B, 2 runs; Lydia Foster 3x4, 2B, 2 runs, RBI; Hannah James 3x3, 2 RBIs.

Game 2 (Records)				R	H	E
Cal State Bakersfield (32-5 overall, No. 7 NCAA DII)	000	262	-	10	11	0
Hawaii Pacific Univ. (22-20 overall)	200	000	-	2	5	1

BATTIERIES: Hill and Taylor, Klein (6); Berry, Lemke (5) and Baron. WP - Christie Hill (15-4). LP - Dayna Berry (8-5).
HITTERS: CSUB: Christie Hill 2x3, solo HR (9); Carrie Hilvers 2x4, HR (2) 5 RBIs; Bethany Snow 3x4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Renee Rubio 1x3, 3 BB, 3 runs. HPU: Jennifer Baron 1x3, 2B, RBI; Kara Wedemeyer 2x3.

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California State University, Bakersfield Athletic Department
9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022
Phone: (661) 654-3071 • FAX: (661) 654-2376