PALO ALTO, Calif. - The CSU Bakersfield softball team battled tough on Friday, but fell to Cal State Northridge 2-1 and No. 22 Stanford 7-0 in the opening day of the Stanford Nike Invitational at the Smith Family Field.

The 'Runners played in two very close games and were tied with CSUN 1-1 in the sixth inning and only trailed Stanford 1-0 after six innings.

"Compared to last weekend, we are playing a lot better ball this weekend. We are just still trying to get that competitive mentality to push for the win," said CSUB head coach Crissy Buck. "I was impressed with how we battled with Northridge this morning and how Amber Mills pitched. Then played competitively with Stanford at their place Kelsie Monroe threw a great for five-plus innings and kept them off balance. We hit the ball really well, it was just right at people. We are still waiting to get that break through."

Amber Mills (Fresno, Calif., Clovis West HS) had an impressive complete-game performance on the mound against the Matadors in taking the loss. The freshman gave up one earned run on six hits with two walks in six innings of work.

The Matadors scored in the first inning to jump out to a 1-0 lead that held until the sixth inning when junior shortstop Shay Fryer (San Diego, Calif., University HS) hit a double to score junior first baseman Amy Ricciardi (Chino Hills, Calif., Ayala HS) to tie the game at 1-all.

Cal State Northridge reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with one run to make it 2-1. The 'Runners never gave up and put up a valiant fight in the seventh inning. Mills was hit by a pitch and then stole second base to get things going for CSUB. Junior left fielder Karissa Veiga (Hemet, Calif., Hemet HS) was also hit by a pitch to give the 'Runners two on with two outs. Ricciardi then connected for a single, but Mills was thrown out at home plate to end the game.

Sophomore Kelsie Monroe (Los Banos, Calif., Delta College) got the start against the Cardinal and kept the 'Runners in the game through the first five innings. She gave up three earned runs on six hits with four walks. CSUB recorded five hits on the day. 

CSUB will have two more games in the Stanford Nike Invitational on Saturday when they take on Stanford in a rematch at 4:15 p.m. and then battle UC Davis at 6:30 p.m.

~www.GoRunners.com~