SAN DIEGO ? The CSUB softball team played another national power to the wire, only to fall at the end in a 2?1 loss to Fresno State Friday afternoon at the San Diego Classic Tournament.

After yielding an run in the second inning, CSUB (6-7 overall) came back to tie the game in the third when Bethany Snow's single to right center scored Pikake Nutter-Gaudet from second base. But Fresno had the last word when Brooke Phipps singled and stole second before scoring on a two-out fielding error.

The Roadrunners had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the sixth inning when freshman outfielder Stefanie Frei led off with a triple to the gap in right center. That's when Morgan Melloh came on in relief of starter Nicole Angene and struck out the side to end the threat.

Melloh finished her second save by striking out two more batters in the seventh inning.

Frei's triple turned out to be the only extra base hit of the game for either team. Both teams finished with six hits.

CSUB will continue play at the San Diego Classic with a pair of games Saturday. They will play James Madison University at 11:30 a.m. before battling Pac-10 Conference power Oregon at 7 p.m.

The 'Runners will close out tournament action Sunday with games against Harvard and the University of San Diego.

Fresno State 2, CSU Bakersfield 1 (Feb 29, 2008 at San Diego, CA)

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CSU Bakersfield..... 001 000 0 -  1  6  1      (6-7)

Fresno State........ 010 100 X -  2  6  0      (12-3)

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Pitchers: CSU Bakersfield - Katie CHAVEZ; Shawna TRUAN(5). Fresno State - Angene, Nicole;

Melloh, Morgan(6).

Win-Angene, Nicole(3-2)  Save-Melloh, Morgan(2)  Loss-Katie CHAVEZ(1-2)  T-1:20  A-72




Angene faced 1 batter in the 6th.