BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. ? So much for the young CSUB softball team being intimidated by life at the NCAA Division I level. The Roadrunners closed out their four?game series with San Jose State Sunday by coming from behind to win in their final at bats for the third consecutive game, defeating the Spartans 5?4 at the Roadrunner Softball Complex.

CSUB (3?1 overall) won the first game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Spartans when Cara Klein's walk-off single capped a two?run seventh inning. They completed Saturday's doubleheader sweep by scoring four times in the bottom of the sixth to rally for a 7?5 win.

In the face of those rallies, Sunday's comeback was almost expected by Roadrunners fans. Sophomore third baseman Heather Veitch came up with the big hit, lining a two?out single to centerfield to drive home pinch runner Chelsey Bell win the game?winner.

Bakersfield climbed out of a 3?1 hole tie to the game with a pair of runs in the fourth inning. But all seemed lost when San Jose State (1?3) rallied for a run in the seventh.

San Jose's rally nearly didn't happen. The Roadrunners twice missed turning double plays by an eyelash in the inning. The Spartans eventually loaded the bases with two outs when Veitch bobbled the ball after tagging Kellie Fangonilo on a force play at third that would have ended the inning.

Lauren Hayes followed with a chopper to second that the normally sure?handed Klein bobbled, allowing, Fangonilo to score. That brought first baseman Natasha Hawkins, who had doubled home two runs in her previous at bat, to the plate. But freshman pitcher Brittany Johnson coaxed a one?hopper to third from Hawkins to end the threat and set up the final rally.

CSUB opened its half of the seventh with consecutive singles by Bethany Snow and Kelli Bailey. Deanna Mauer came on in relief of starter Roxanne Bejarano and Klein greeted her with a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners over.

Mauer's first pitch to Hilary Taylor sailed over her catcher's head, allowing Snow to score the tying run and moving pinch runner Bell to third base. Mauer got Taylor to ground out to second, but Veitch lined her 2?2 offering to center to start the CSUB celebration.

Bailey ended the day 3-for-4 with a double to lead the 14?hit CSUB attack. Snow went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI while sophomore shortstop Kristen Archuleta added her first collegiate double and first RBI.

Fangonilo and Hawkins led San Jose State offensively. Fangonilo finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored while Hawkins finished 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

The CSUB softball team hits the road for the next three weeks, beginning with a trip to Las Vegas for the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic Friday through Sunday. The 'Runner open tournament play with games against Northwestern State and UTEP Friday afternoon.

Score by Innings                  R  H  E

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San Jose State...... 000 300 1 -  4 11  0

CSU Bakersfield..... 100 200 2 -  5 14  5

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