SARATOGA, Calif. - The CSU Bakersfield softball team ended the 2012 season with a bang, busting out 13 hits and scoring 10 runs on its way to a 10-5 victory over Santa Clara in the second game of a doubleheader in Pacific Coast Softball Conference action on Sunday at West Valley College. The Roadrunners lost Game 1, 10-5, on Sunday to help conclude the season with a 2-2 split against the Broncos.
After jumping out to a 2-1 lead in the first inning of Game 2, the 'Runners (13-39, went wild with a seven-run second inning to take a lead they never gave up. Sophomore second baseman Amy Ricciardi (Chino Hills, Calif., Ayala HS) led the offensive charge by going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and one RBI. On the day, Ricciardi went 7-for-8 with five runs scored and four RBIs.
"To come out and finish the way we did today was a great way for us to end the season," said CSUB head coach Crissy Buck. "To score that many runs and do so well offensively is a great sign of what the future has to bring for us. All season we improved as hitters, especially our young players who will be back to be even better next season. Amy had a heck of a day and came out on fire offensively. It was just a great way to send out our seniors."
Sophomore shortstop Myshayla Fryer (San Diego, Calif., University HS) went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and one run scored, redshirt junior center fielder Laura King went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI, junior left fielder Karlee Rodgers (Clovis, Calif., West Clovis HS) went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one runs scored while sophomore designated player Karissa Veiga (Hemet, Calif., Hemet HS) added two hits, one run scored and one run driven in. Senior first baseman Sara Smith (Northridge, Calif., Biola Univ.) chipped in one hit and one RBI to cap off an outstanding season and collegiate career.
Sophomore Marissa Hiller (Cypress, Calif., Cypress HS) earned the win in the circle, going 5.2 innigns and giving up three runs on five htis with two walks and two strikeouts. Taylor DeSilva (Sunnyvale, Calif., Univ. of the Pacific) entered in relief to pitch the final 1.1 innings and close out the win. Both pitchers came up big in the season finale as injuries limited the CSUB pitching staff this season and they rose to the challenge of having to pitch lots of innings.
"Hiller showed a lot of heart, going 13 innings today which is the most she has
ever done and she kept competing and going after it," Buck said. "Then for Taylor to come in a finish it the way she did symboloizes the whole team and how much heart they have. I am excited for the future of this team."
In Game 1 on Sunday, the 'Runners rallied back to tie the game at 3-3 after three innings, but Santa Calra scored two in the fourth and another three in both the fifth and sixth innings to seal the victory. Ricciard went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored, including one that came on a solo home run. It was the seventh of the season for Ricciardi, who finishes the season as the team leader in homers. Veiga, Rodgers, Fryer and Sandoval all went 2-for-4 in the contest.
The weekend concludes the 2012 season for the 'Runners, which was the first under Buck. CSUB will finish the year in fifth place in the Coastal Division standings of the PCSC above Santa Clara. The 'Runners also finished in fifth in 2011.
Veiga ended the season leading the 'Runners in batting average at .378 and finished tied with King for most runs scored with 26. Ricciardi and Fryer finished tied for the lead for RBIs with 29 apiece.
~www.GoRunners.com~
