NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Second baseman Adrianna Cardoza (So., Santa Anna, Calif., La Quinta HS) and left fielder Karissa Veiga (Jr., Hemet, Calif., Hamet HS) both went 2-for-3 and scored a run to lift the CSU Bakersfield softball team to a 3-2 win in the first game of a doubleheader against Cal St. Northridge on Saturday. The Matadors beat the 'Runners 4-2 in game two.
In game one, Cal St. Northridge (10-16) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning before CSUB (2-13) rallied to take the lead with a two-run third inning. With one out, freshman center fielder Sydney Raeber (Hanford, Calif., Hanford HS) hit a single and scored when Cardoza hit a double. Veiga then hit a triple to right field to score Cardoza and put CSUB up 2-1.
In the sixth inning, CSUB scored an insurance run that proved to be essential when Veiga led off with a single. She was then moved over to second base on a sacrifice bunt by junior shortstop Shay Fryer (San Diego, Calif., University HS). Junior first baseman Amy Ricciardi (Chino Hills, Calif., Ayala HS) then hit an RBI single up the middle to plate Veiga and put CSUB up 3-1. Even though the Matadors scored a run in the bottom of the sixth, the 'Runner held on for the win.
Kelsie Monroe (Jr., Los Banos, Calif., Delta College) improved to 2-8 on the season after earning the win in the circle. She gave up two runs on three hits with no walks and seven strikeouts in the complete game effort.
In game two, CSUB found itself down 2-0 after three innings. In the fourth inning, Ricciardi hit a double down the left field line. Jazmine Irvine (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield CC) then reached on a fielding error by CSUN and Ricciardi scored to put CSUB on the scoreboard. The Matadors scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to increase its lead to 4-1 before CSUB scored one more run in the top of the seventh when Cardoza hit a solo home run to left field. The homer was the first of the season by CSUB.
The 'Runners finish the season series against Cal St. Northridge with a 1-3 record. Up next, CSUB will return to Bakersfield for its home-opening weekend with a doubleheader against UC Davis on Saturday, March 16 and another doubleheader against Cal Poly on Sunday, March 17.
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