FRESNO, Calif.-- Bakersfield softball continued its season on Friday with a trip up north for the Fresno State Kickoff Classic as the 'Runners fell in both games on day one.

Bakersfield dropped a 5-3 decision to UC Santa Barbara to open play Friday morning.

UCSB got out to a quick lead in the first inning after two singles and some small ball plated the first run of the game. With a runner on base, MeShalon Moore would homer, giving the Gauchos a 3-0 lead.

The 'Runners got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning after Karissa Veiga (Sr., Hemet, Calif., Hemet HS) reach on an error and eventually scored from third on a wild pitch. UCSB's second unearned run of the game would come later in the inning when Amy Ricciardi (Sr., Chino Hills, Calif., Ayala HS) would double home Sydney Raeber (So., Hanford, Calif., Hanford HS) who also reached safely on an error. The two runs cut the UCSB as the 'Runners trailed 3-2 after four innings.

The Gauchos scored a single run in both the fifth and sixth innings to extend their lead to 5-3. Bakersfield was unable to capitalize in those innings, leaving runners on first and second in the fifth and a runner on third in the sixth.

In the bottom of the seventh, Veiga picked up an RBI when she singled home Ashley Carter (Jr., Tehachapi, Calif., Tehachapi HS). With Veiga on base, the 'Runners had the potential tying run at the plate but a ground out ended any chance at a late-game comeback.

Freshman Kayli Shaw (Rocklin, Calif., Whitney HS) went two for two in the game for the 'Runners and Amber Mills (So., Fresno, Calif., Clovis West HS) came in to relieve in the second inning, finishing the game with 5 2/3 innings pitched.

Bakersfield dropped its second game of the day to UC Riverside by the all too familiar score of 5-3.

The Highlanders got out to a quick 1-0 lead thanks to a leadoff walk which would eventually score after a steal and two throwing errors. UC Riverside loaded the bases after that, but Bakersfield's starting pitcher, Kelsie Monroe (Jr., Los Banos, Calif., San Joaquin Delta College) would strand all three runners by inducing a flyout.

UC Riverside's starter, Alyssa Razo, took a no-hitter into the fourth inning but was relieved of her duties just before Bakersfield burst onto the scoreboard with three runs. Facing the new pitcher and with two outs, Madison Bundy (Jr., Anacortes, Wash., Oregon State) recorded a two-RBI single to center. Bundy would score off of a Kara Frankhouser (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield College) single in the next at bat, giving the 'Runners a 3-1 lead.

Razo reentered the game for the Highlanders to get the last out of the fourth inning and only allowed the 'Runners to get two more hits in the game. Her offense backed her up as UC Riverside scored a pair of runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game and to take a 5-3 lead, respectively. The lead would hold as Bakersfield was unable to break through Razo's pitching as she threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings to get the win.

The tournament continues Saturday as Bakersfield takes on Sacramento State at 9 a.m. and gets a second crack at UCSB at 11:45.

Follow Bakersfield's softball games tomorrow using Fresno State's live stats at this link.

~www.GoRunners.com~