LAS CRUCES, N.M.-- Bakersfield returned to WAC play with a doubleheader against New Mexico State on Friday night. The 'Runners fell to the Aggies in both games.

Game 1: New Mexico State 7, Bakersfield 5

Bakersfield attacked early with the team's most explosive first inning of the season. Karissa Veiga (Sr., Hemet, Calif., Hemet HS) led the inning off with a double and was later plated by Sydney Raeber's (So., Hanford, Calif., Hanford HS) RBI single. Amy Ricciardi (Sr., Chino Hills, Calif., Ayala HS) would later add a two-RBI double en route to a four-run opening frame for the 'Runners.

Kelsie Monroe (Jr., Los Banos, Calif., San Joaquin Delta College) got the start for the 'Runners and, despite scattering a few hits here and there, pitched effectively through the first three innings. Alas, New Mexico State has the most potent offense in the WAC and it was only a matter of time until the Aggies retaliated. The bottom of the fourth was equally explosive for the Aggies who evened the score at 4-4 with four runs in the inning. A two-run home run from Brennalyn Nakamura in the fifth led to a three-run inning as NMSU took a 7-4 lead.

Ricciardi recorded her third hit of the game to leadoff the top of the sixth and her teammates would follow suit. An RBI single from Ashley Carter (Jr., Tehachapi, Calif., Tehachapi HS) brought the score to 7-5 and the 'Runners eventually loaded the bases, but the team could not capitalize on the opportunity.

Still trailing by two runs, the 'Runners did not go down quietly as they threatened NMSU with two on and the go-ahead run at the plate. Celisha Walker would get the job done and preserved the win for the Aggies. Ricciardi ended the game 3-4 with two RBI while Shay Fryer (Sr., San Diego, Calif., University HS) added two hits and an RBI to the 'Runner cause.

Game 2: New Mexico State 8, Bakersfield 1

Monroe again got the nod to start Game 2 but struggled early on for the 'Runners. A double from Staci Rodriguez, the WAC leader in batting average and home runs, led the Aggies to a 2-0 lead after the second inning. The third homer of the day from NMSU extended the lead to 3-0 in the third inning.

Four singles and a double in the bottom of the fourth led to four more runs and a 7-0 lead for NMSU. Bakersfield responded with a run in the top of the fifth when Madison Bundy (Jr., Anacortes, Wash., Oregon State) scored on a sacrifice fly to give the 'Runners their only run of the game. Nevertheless, New Mexico State would tack on another run and look to its strong pitching to finish the deal.

New Mexico State's Makayla Adams went the distance, pitching all seven innings while scattering four hits and giving up one run for the Aggies. Three 'Runner pitchers combined for 12 hits given up over six innings pitched as the powerful NMSU offense was too much to handle.

Weather permitting, Bakersfield (11-33-1, 1-7 WAC) will finish the conference series against the Aggies (25-16, 7-1 WAC) on Saturday. First pitch for the single game is scheduled for four p.m. (MDT).

~www.GoRunners.com~