LAS VEGAS-- The Roadrunners closed out the Sporto Classic with three more losses against formidable opponents.

"This team is young," said Crissy Buck-Ziegler, Head Coach of the 'Runners. "We haven't played many games together, but we are mature individuals who are coming together." Bakersfield's leader has expressed confidence since the early offseason that her new, but talented squad would prove to be a strong team.

Game 3 - UNLV 10, CSUB 0

Kelsie Monroe (Sr., Los Banos, Calif., San Joaquin Delta College) got her third consecutive start and kept the 'Runners in the game. Eventually, the Rebels got to Monroe and forced her out before taking advantage of Sydney Raeber (Jr., Hanford, Calif., Hanford HS) for six runs in only 1.2 innings pitched.

UNLV got a hit out of every position in the batting order except the second and was led by second baseman Alyssa Cordova. The junior from California went 2-for-2 for UNLV while driving a ball out for a three-run home run. Kwyn Cooper was strong on the mound, pitching all five innings for UNLV and recording a shutout.

The 'Runners scattered four hits in the game but were patient at the plate, striking out only four times in the game. With the loss, CSUB dropped to 0-3 on the year.

Game 4 - Louisville 10, CSUB 2

Against a team that received votes in the Top 25 polls, the 'Runners mustered some offense but eventually fell to Louisville. Sophomore Lyndsay Klimenko (Half Moon Bay, Calif., Half Moon Bay HS) picked up her first start of the season in the circle and pitched well for CSUB. The defense behind Klimenko was shaky as two errors in the bottom of the second led to four unearned runs for the Cardinals. Klimenko finished the game going 3.1 innings while giving up only three earned runs.

The Cardinals received offense from most of the lineup, but the majority came from leftfielder Jordan McNary. The sophomore from Kentucky went 3-for-3 in the game while driving in two RBI. Whitney Arion and Kristina Dillard also drove in a pair of RBI for Louisville.

Raeber picked up her second and third RBI of the season with a two-run double in the bottom of the third. The junior from Hanford leads the 'Runners with three RBI and two doubles on the season. CSU Bakersfield fell to 0-4 on the season with the loss while Louisville improved to 2-2.

Game 5 - UC Davis 5, CSUB 2

The Aggies took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Krista Bava came around third to score on a throwing error, giving UC Davis a 1-0 lead. The 'Runners briefly tied the game when Sabrina Perez (Jr., West Covina, Calif., Santa Ana College), who started the game going 3-for-3, singled home a run in the top of the second. UC Davis would regain the lead in the bottom half of the inning with another unearned run.

In the top of the fourth, CSUB threatened with the bases loaded and one out. Dana Cruse, who came into relieve for UC Davis, managed to get a short fly to center which was not deep enough to score the runner from third. Right fielder Julea Cavazos (Fr., Temecula, Calif., Temecula Valley HS) came through with two outs as she singled in a run to tie the score at 2-2. The Aggies tried to respond in the bottom half of the inning with bases loaded and two outs, but Monroe shut down the opportunity by inducing a groundout.

After 5.1 innings of battling and 27 batters faced, Monroe was pulled in favor for Klimenko. The senior starter left the game with just one hit allowed, but had given up six walks. Klimenko came in and walked the next batter, then gave up a single to Christa Castello which gave the Aggies a 3-2 lead. The Aggies would later tack on two more runs to get to the 5-2 score by which they would win.

Perez would finish 3-for-4 with one RBI while Briana Pontecorvo (Jr., Hanford, Calif., San José State) went 2-for-3 with one run scored. Monroe finished with 5.1 innings pitched, one hit given up, and three runs with only one being earned. As a team, the 'Runners recorded 10 hits, a single-game total they had not topped since their 10-10 tie against Cal State Fullerton last season.

The 'Runners dropped to 0-5 after a tournament filled with tough teams. CSU Bakersfield will return to action next weekend with five games at the University of San Diego Tournament.

~GoRunners.com~