FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bakersfield softball team finished off the Fresno State Kickoff Classic with a 9-1 loss to the host Bulldogs Sunday afternoon.

Sydney Raeber (So., Hanford, Calif., Hanford HS), normally a pitcher in the reliever or closer roll, got the nod for her first start of the season. Fresno State got out to an early lead in the second inning after a sacrifice fly scored Vonnie Martin from third. Late in the inning and with two outs, an error would allow the Bulldogs to keep the inning alive and score another run to go ahead 2-0.

With two runners on in the third inning, Stesha Brazil hit a double down the line to extend Fresno State's lead to 4-0. The Bulldogs would eventually exit the third inning with a five-run lead.

Bakersfield got on the board thanks to its pitcher, Sydney Raeber, and third baseman, Karsyn Guzman (Fr., Hanford, Calif., Hanford HS). Guzman led off the inning with a single to right field and would eventually score off of Raeber's single as the former teammates from Hanford High School gave the 'Runners their only run of the game.

Three more runs in the bottom of the fourth and one in the bottom of the sixth gave the Bulldogs a 9-1 lead and the win thanks to the 8-run rule.

Guzman highlighted the day for the 'Runners, recording the first multi-hit game in her young collegiate career. Karissa Veiga (Sr., Hemet, Calif., Hemet HS) also had a hit in the game, bringing her season total to a team-leading 17 hits. The outfielder has at least one hit in 10 of the team's first 11 games and currently boasts her second five-game hitting streak of the season.

The 'Runners will return to the diamond next weekend when they head to the UC Riverside Amy S. Harrison Tournament from February 21-23. Bakersfield will open the tournament on Friday morning, will play another game Saturday afternoon and will close out the weekend with a two games on Sunday.

~www.GoRunners.com~