Runners, Matadors Split Battle Of Former Champions

Softball April 25, 2010 CSU Bakersfield Athletic Communications

Roadrunners Split Pair of Thrilling Conference Contests

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Senior Kristen Archuleta homered twice in a pair of thrilling contests that ended in a split for the CSUB softball team Saturday at the Roadrunner Softball Complex against PCSC conference member San Diego. The 'Runners picked up a walk–off 4–3 victory in the opening game but were unable to hold a three–run lead late in the second game, falling 7–6. CSUB is now 17–27 overall and 5–5 in PCSC play. San Diego moves to 14–23, 3–5 in the PCSC.

Sophomore Sammy Rodriguez pitched seven strong innings in the opening contest but it was her batting heroics in the bottom of the seventh that iced the victory. With one out in the home half of the seventh, Rodriguez drove a ball to dead center field that drove in junior Jamie Miller who pinch ran for classmate Ryane Petersen after Petersen singled in the second at bat of the inning. Archuleta had followed Petersen with a single to move the winning run into scoring position which Rodriguez drove in a few pitches later.

In the circle, Rodriguez pitched seven strong innings, allowing just three hits while striking out five. With the 'Runners up 3–2 heading into the top of the seventh, San Diego's pitcher Jennifer Ellenbeck homered to deep left field to tie the game. CSUB struck in the first inning as Archuleta, who went three–for–three, launched her eighth home run of the season, driving in three runs. Eight players for CSUB recorded hits on the day with Petersen joining Archuleta as the only other player with multiple hits (two-for-four).

Another late inning rally by the Toreros in the second game proved to be a little too much for CSUB to hold off. The 'Runners led 6–3 heading into the top of the seventh but USD strung together a trio of hits combined with a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice to score four times and take the 7–6 lead. In the bottom of the frame, freshman Karlee Rodgers singled with one out but junior Stefanie Frei's hard liner to short led to Rodgers being doubled off first to end the game.

CSUB benefitted from a pair of first–inning Torero errors as Rodriguez singled in senior Heather Veitch to give the Roadrunners an early 1–0 lead. Down 2–1 in the fourth, Frei singled to lead off the inning and was brought home on a Veitch single. Two batters later, Archuleta smacked her second home run of the day to drive in Veitch and Petersen. Petersen would help add a would–be insurance marker in the sixth inning with a double to right, driving in Miller who pinch ran for junior Kasie Muro who singled to open the inning.

Senior Shawna Truan pitched six and a third innings, giving up just three runs prior to the USD seventh. San Diego committed five errors which led to four unearned 'Runner scores.

The Toreros and the Roadrunners continue their series tomorrow at the Roadrunner Softball Complex with a pair of games beginning at noon.

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