BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- Bakersfield began its last home WAC series of the season on Friday afternoon against Seattle U.  The Redhawks held on for a 4-3 win over the 'Runners.

Seattle U struck early after loading the bases in the first half inning. Lisa Maulden took a one-out pitch deep to left center for a bases-clearing double that gave the Redhawks a 3-0 lead. The 'Runners tried to answer back in the bottom of the second with 'Runners on second and third and only one out, but Seattle U's starting pitcher, Lindsay Davis, got the Redhawks out of trouble despite eventually loading the bases.

After giving up five hits through the first eleven Redhawks, Bakersfield's starting pitcher, Lyndsay Klimenko (Fr., Half Moon Bay, Calif., Half Moon Bay HS), settled down and kept Seattle U quiet. The freshman pitcher retired seven out of the next eight batters before getting in trouble in the fifth. Two singles and an error loaded the bases with no outs, but Klimenko managed to strand all three Redhawks by inducing three consecutive shallow fly balls.

The 'Runners chased Davis from the game in the bottom of the fifth after putting two on, and her replacement, Alyssa Reuble, made matters worse by hitting the first batter she faced. With bases loaded for the second time in the game, Reuble got a strikeout to keep the Redhawk shutout intact. Two singles in the top of the sixth led to another run for Seattle U who took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth.

Bakersfield would not go down without a fight as the Roadrunners loaded the bases in the sixth for the third time in the game. Shay Fryer (Sr., San Diego, Calif., University HS) brought in the first run of the game with an RBI walk before Karissa Veiga's (Sr., Hemet, Calif., Hemet HS) sacrifice fly plated a second run. With two on, Jessica Castaneda doubled to right center for a third run, but the tying run was thrown out at the plate.

Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh, the 'Runners were unable to mount a comeback as Reuble shut the door on Bakersfield. Despite struggling in the first inning, Klimenko pitched a solid complete game, giving up only one run and four hits after the second inning. Davis picked up the win for Seattle U (16-28, 5-5 WAC) while Reuble limped her way to a save. Amy Ricciardi (Sr., Chino Hills, Calif.) and Amber Mills (So., Fresno, Calif., Clovis West HS) each had two hits for Bakersfield (11-35-1, 1-9 WAC) while Fryer, Veiga, and Castaneda each had an RBI in the game.

The 'Runners and Redhawks will finish Bakersfield's last home series of the season on Saturday with a doubleheader. First pitch of Game 1 is scheduled for one p.m. and CSUB's five seniors will be honored in a short ceremony between games.

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