SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.-- Bakersfield traveled to the windy Central Coast on Tuesday for a doubleheader against Cal Poly. The two teams split the pair of games in Bakersfield's first back-to-back extra-inning games since 2011 when the team went eight and then nine innings against Utah State.

Game 1: Bakersfield 7, Cal Poly 5

With bases loaded in the third, Bakersfield's starting pitcher, Lyndsay Klimenko (Fr., Half Moon Bay, Calif., Half Moon Bay HS) was unable to hold the Mustangs off. A hit batter walked in a run for the Mustangs who later took a 2-0 lead on an error. Bakersfield was able to get two strikeouts from Klimenko to end the inning, but the damage was done. An RBI triple by Kim Westlund increased the Mustang lead to 3-0 through four innings.

After putting up only two hits in the first five innings, Bakersfield got back-to-back hits from Karsyn Guzman (Fr., Hanford, Calif., Hanford HS) and Karissa Veiga (Sr., Hemet, Calif., Hemet HS) in the top of the sixth to put 'Runners on the corners with no outs. A wild pitch by starting pitcher Sierra Hyland allowed Guzman to score. RBI singles from Jessica Castaneda (So., Bakersfield, Calif., Ridgeview HS) and Madison Bundy (Jr., Anacortes, Wash., Oregon State) and a two-RBI single from Briana Pontecorvo (So., Hanford, Calif., San José State) eventually gave the 'Runners a 5-3 lead.

Klimenko struggled in the seventh, loading the bases but managed to get two outs. Cal Poly's starting pitcher came up and delivered with a two-RBI hit to tie the game and force extra innings. Sydney Raeber (So., Hanford, Calif., Hanford HS) led off the top of the eighth with a bunt single. After a sacrifice bunt, Pontecorvo's second RBI-single of the game gave the 'Runners a 6-5 edge. An error allowed Veiga to reach safely and gave Bakersfield an insurance run and a 7-5 lead.

Amber Mills (So., Fresno, Calif., Clovis West HS) came on to relieve Klimenko in the eigth and experienced just as much trouble with the Mustang hitters as her teammate. After getting an out, Cal Poly loaded the bases, prompting Head Coach Crissy Buck-Ziegler to bring Klimenko back in. The freshman caught a Mustang looking with a pitch on the outside corner for out two then finished Cal Poly off with a grounder.

Klimenko gave up three earned runs in 7.2 innings pitched, gave up seven hits, no walks, and struck out three Mustangs. Bundy went 3-3 with an RBI while Pontecorvo added two hits and three RBI in the 7-5, extra-inning victory.

Game 2: Cal Poly 1, Bakersfield 0

After slow starts from both teams, the 'Runners threatened with bases loaded and two outs in the top of the third inning, but Cal Poly's Hyland would deter any damage with a fly out. Other than the one half inning of struggle, Hyland and Kelsie Monroe (Jr., Los Banos, Calif., San Joaquin Delta College) put on a pitching clinic in San Luis Obispo. Through the first six innings, the two pitchers combined to allow only three hits and no runs with 11 total strikeouts.

Neither team could break through the two aces in the regularly scheduled innings as the two teams went to extras for the second time in the doubleheader. Bakersfield managed to put two 'Runners on in both the eighth and ninth innings, but Cal Poly shut the door on both opportunities. The Mustangs put two runners on then got the game-winning RBI single from Lauren Moreno.

Despite losing, Monroe pitched a brilliant 8.2 innings, giving up only four hits, two walks, and one run while striking out eight Mustangs. The Cal Poly pitchers stiffled the Roadrunner offense as Veiga, Amy Ricciardi (Sr., Chino Hills, Calif., Ayala HS), and Guzman each managed only a single hit in the nightcap.

The 'Runners (14-36-1, 3-9 WAC) will finish the 2014 regular season with a three-game series against Kansas City this weekend. A doubleheader will kickoff the series at two p.m. (CDT) Friday and will conclude the season with a single game on Saturday at 12 p.m. (CDT).

~www.GoRunners.com~