SACRAMENTO, Calif.-- Bakersfield softball closed out the weekend series with a 2-1 loss against the Sacramento State Hornets on Sunday.

The Hornets got out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. A leadoff triple by Alexa Chattleton got the 'Runners in trouble while Bakersfield's starting pitcher, Kelsie Monroe (Jr., Los Banos, Calif., San Joaquin Delta College), almost put out the threat by converting back-to-back outs. Sacramento State would plate the run, though, after an error prolonged the inning and Sasha Margulies hit an RBI single.

After two hits in the top of the first that did not result in a run, the 'Runners remained quiet until the fourth inning. Jessica Castaneda (So., Bakersfield, Calif., Ridgeview HS) was hit by a pitch and her pinch runner, Amber Mills (So., Fresno, Calif., Clovis West HS), scored from second off of Briana Pontecorvo's (So., Hanford, Calif., San José State) RBI single. The inning would continue as Bakersfield had two runners on base, but the Hornets closed the door on the threat to keep the score tied 1-1.

The 'Runners threatened again in the top of the fifth with two walks, but CSUB would leave two runners on base again. Monroe and her Sacramento State counterparts kept the offense at bay with strong pitching performances.

The Hornets put Monroe in a tough spot in the bottom of the seventh by loading the bases with no outs. The junior pitcher fought off the first out of the inning and induced a groundout that allowed the 'Runners to get a force out at home. A throwing error on the play in an attempt to double off the runner advancing to third allowed the Hornets to score the game-winning run.

Bakersfield (7-21) returns to the diamond next weekend as the team takes part in the Cal State Northridge Tournament. The 'Runners will play five games over three days from Friday to Sunday and will face Harvard, Pacific, and Cal State Northridge.

~www.GoRunners.com~