KENNESAW, Ga. ? It was a long day for Cal State Bakersfield's injury?depleted pitching staff and the Roadrunners gave up 22 hits and 12 runs in dropping a pair of games on the opening day of the NCAA Division I Independent Tournament Friday in Kennesaw, Ga.

Bakersfield (28-25-1) nearly fought back from a 5-0 deficit in the opener before falling to Northern Colorado 5-4. North Dakota State scored three times in the top of the first en route to an 8-0 win in game two.

Pool play will continue for the Roadrunners Saturday when they play South Dakota State and host Kennesaw State. Bracket play begins Saturday evening and concludes Sunday afternoon.

The 'Runners nearly began the tournament with a stirring comeback. After Northern Colorado exploded for four runs in the third inning to open a 5-0 lead, Bakersfield roared back with four unanswered runs of its own.

Senior leftfielder Carrie Hilvers had an RBI double in the fifth inning and an RBI single in the sixth to pull Bakersfield withn one run at 5?4. Shortstop Kianna Urbanski, who had three hits in the game, moved to third as the potential tying run on Hilvers' single, but was thrown out trying to score on a ground ball by Kelli Bailey one batter later.

With Hilvers on third base, catcher Hilary Taylor lined out to second to end the threat and the 'Runners went 1-2-3 in the seventh to end the game.

NDSU collected 12 hits ? all singles ? in game two, parlaying those into eight runs. That was more than enough support for Allison Bakke, who struck out six in a three-hit shutout performance.

One bright spot for the 'Runners Friday was the 4-for-7 day at the plate by Urbanski. Her efforts Friday lifted her ? at least temporarily ? past Christie Hill into the all?time lead on the CSUB batting list. Urbanski enters play Saturday with a .373 average to Hill's .372. The 'Runners will play at least three more games this season.

BATTERIES: Daniels and Taylor; Otterloo and Geist. WP ? Hillarie Van otterloo (4-11). LP ? Kristyn Daniels (16-12).
HITTERS: CSUB: Carrie Hilvers 3x4, 2B, 2 RBI; Bethany Snow 2x4, 2B, run; Kianna Urbanski 3x4, run. UNC: Casey Hogue 2x3, 3B, RBI; Mackenzie Barrett 1x3, 2B, run; Astrid Yestness 1x3, 2B, RBI, 2 runs.

BATTERIES: Bakke and Cantrell; Chavez and Taylor. WP ? Allison Bakke (21-12). LP ? Katie Chavez (7-5).
HITTERS: CSUB: Bethany Snow 1x3; Kianna Urbanski 1x3; Elise Deering 1x2. NDSU: Grete Peterson 3x3, 3 runs, SB; Kelly Cantrell 2x4, 3 RBI; Lynnae Foshag 2x4, 2 RBI.