BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- The CSU Bakersfield softball team returned home and swept the Catamounts of Western Carolina on Wednesday. The 'Runners received solid outings from both of their starting pitchers who picked up complete-game wins and allowed just one run to WCU.

“It was a very good afternoon,” said Crissy Buck-Ziegler, Bakersfield's head coach. “I was proud of how the team just kept sticking with it and they pulled out two wins. Kelsey and Lyndsay threw great complete games. We need that moving into the weekend and into conference.”

Game 1 - CSUB 1, WCU 0

The Catamounts loaded the bases in the top of the first thanks to two singles and a hit batter. Bakersfield's starter, Kelsie Monroe (Sr., Los Banos, Calif., San Joaquin Delta College), got out of the jam with a strikeout.

The 'Runners struck first after loading the bases in the bottom of the third inning. Sabrina Perez (Jr., West Covina, Calif., Santa Ana College) delivered a one-out RBI single to right field which give the 'Runners a 1-0 lead. CSUB failed to push another run across despite having bases loaded with one out but would be able to hold on to the narrow lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, CSUB put 'Runners on second and third with no outs but was unable to add to its lead as Jordan Garrett retired the next three batters. Monroe battled back from having two Catamounts on in the top of the sixth. The senior pitcher retired the final out to keep the score at 1-0.

Monroe rolled through the Catamounts, recording a complete-game, shutout three-hitter. The senior scattered three walks among the three hits while striking out three Catamounts. The victory was Monroe's sixth win and fourth shutout of the season. Alexandrea Simmons (Jr., Ontario, Calif., Mt. SAC) went 2-for-2 in the game and scored the only run. Perez picked up the game-winning RBI, her sixth of the year, while going 1-for-2 with a walk.

Game 2 - CSUB 4, WCU 1

The 'Runners picked up a run in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a Catamount error. Selena Gonzalez (So., Manteca, Calif., San Joaquin Delta College) led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. A throwing error by the WCU catcher allowed Gonzalez to score an unearned run.

In the top of the fourth inning, Western Carolina answered back on a home run by first baseman Taylor Sigmon. The solo shot was the junior's fourth of the season and tied the game at 1-1.

Heading into the bottom of the fifth, Courtney Buchanan, WCU's starter, had retired 11 straight batters after getting out of the first-inning jam. Buchanan finally ran into trouble when the 'Runners started a two-out rally with a walk and a single. With Madison Bundy (Sr., Anacortes, Wash., Oregon State) on second, Gonzalez singled to left field and Bundy beat the throw home to take a 2-1 lead.

Lyndsay Klimenko (So., Half Moon Bay, Calif., Half Moon Bay HS) got the start in the circle for the 'Runners and ran into trouble with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the sixth. The sophomore got her team out of the inning with a lazy lineout to end the threat.

The 'Runners tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, two pinch 'Runners, Kaylynn Burt (Fr., Fresno, Calif., Central HS) and Cassidy Santiago (So., Lake Elsinore, Calif., Temiscal Canyon HS), came around to score on Bundy's single up the middle. Bundy's first two RBI of the season gave the 'Runners a 4-1 lead heading to the final three outs.

Klimenko came out to close her first complete game of the season, but the Catamounts would not go down without a fight. A single and a walk set up a one-out scoring opportunity for Western Carolina, but Klimenko shut the game down to pick up her first complete game of the season and second win.

Gonzalez finished the day going 3-for-7 with one RBI while Bundy went 1-for-2 in Game 2 with a walk and two RBI. Buck-Ziegler was pleased to see her senior outfielder start to swing the bat well: “It was a great clutch hit. I kind of challenged Madison and she rose to the occasion. I'm really happy that for her, as a senior, she was able to do that. Hopefully that is the beginning of her getting on a role here.” Klimenko scattered five hits and walked only two batters while striking out four for CSUB.

The 'Runners (9-12) will return to the Roadrunner Softball Complex on Sunday for another doubleheader. CSU Bakersfield will host Boise State with first pitch of Game 1 scheduled for 9 a.m.

~GoRunners.com~