BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- On a warm day in Bakersfield, the Roadrunners opened Western Athletic Conference play with a doubleheader against Missouri-Kansas City. Behind the bat of freshman Julea Cavazos (Temecula, Calif., Temecula Valley HS) and the arm of senior Kelsie Monroe (Los Banos, Calif., San Joaquin Delta College), the 'Runners picked up a come-from-behind, extra-inning win in the first game of the day. The Kangaroos come out firing on all cylinders and earned a big victory in Game 2.

“We need to come and play,” said Crissy Buck-Ziegler, Bakersfield's Head Coach. “It was a very disappointing effort from the team after what I believe was a confidence-building win. We almost went flat. We need to bounce back tomorrow, come up with some better energy, and start hitting earlier.”

Before falling to UMKC in the second game, the 'Runners saw a breakout performance by Cavazos in the first game of the day. Entering Friday's WAC opening games, the freshman outfielder was 5-for-18 on the season after sitting out every game before this week since Feb. 8. On Friday, Cavazos doubled her hit total to 10 and raised her batting average 108 points to .385.

“That's what we knew Julea could do,” said Buck-Ziegler. “She was injured for a little bit and now having her back is great. It adds a strong arm in the outfield and it was pretty savvy for a freshman to get that clutch hit in the first game. We're happy for her.”

Game 1 - CSUB 5, UMKC 4 (9 inn.)

Caitlin Christopher led off the top of the second inning with a deep double to put the 'Runners in a tight spot. A Marlee Maples home run to left field helped the Kangaroos to a 2-0 lead. UMKC continued to pressure after the home run, but Monroe battled back to get out of the jam.

The 'Runners got a run back in the bottom half of the second inning. With 'Runners on the corners, CSUB would capitalize on a throwing error by the catcher to bring the score to 2-1.

In the top of the fifth, the Kangaroos threatened to extend their lead after putting runners on second and third with two outs. A throwing error put the 'Runners in the bad situation and a second error of the inning allowed both runs to come around and score. UMKC took a 4-1 lead thanks to Bakersfield's mistakes.

The 'Runners returned the favor in the bottom of the sixth inning by capitalizing on a costly UMKC error. With 'Runners on first and second, Cavazos screamed a ball towards the first baseman, who knocked down the ball but could not get to her feet fast enough to tag the base. UMKC's fielder made the mistake of trying to flip the ball to a covering second baseman, who was nowhere to be found. The error allowed both 'Runners to come around and score while Cavazos moved to second. A pinch hit single by Briana Pontecorvo (Jr., Hanford, Calif. San José State) allowed Cavazos to sprint around third and slide under a tag at home to tie the score at 4-4.

After a strikeout to start out the bottom of the seventh, Selena Gonzalez (So., Manteca, Calif., San Joaquin Delta College) singled to right field to start a CSUB rally. Sydney Raeber (Jr., Hanford, Calif., Hanford HS) later singled, setting up a 'Runners on the corners situation with two outs. CSUB was unable to push the winning run across as a fly ball ended the threat and sent the game to extra innings.

CSUB threatened again in the eighth but would not get the win until the bottom of the ninth inning. The 'Runners loaded the bases with one out, setting up a walk-off opportunity for Cavazos. The freshman, who ended up 4-for-5 in the game, sent a single to right field to bring Alexandrea Simmons (Jr., Ontario, Calif., Mt. SAC) home. Cavazos' only RBI of the game gave the 'Runners a 5-4 win.

Monroe went the distance for CSUB, picking up her ninth win of the season along with her 11th complete game. The senior hurler overcame early struggles to pitch a solid eight innings while giving up only two earned runs. UMKC's starting pitcher, Katie Kelley, got the no decision after pitching 7.0 innings and give up no earned runs (four unearned). Simmons and Raeber both added a pair of hits for the 'Runners.

Game 2 - UMKC 12, CSUB 2 (6 inn.)

A wild first inning allowed the Kangaroos to jump out to an early 4-0 lead. The first half of the first inning consisted of three hits, two Roadrunner errors, and a catcher's interference call.The 'Roos added one run in the top of the third and fourth innings to take a 6-0 lead. A three-run fifth inning for UMKC would give the team a 9-0 lead and send CSUB to its final three outs.

The 'Runners would not go down without a fight as they scored two runs to keep their hopes alives. Pontecorvo delivered another clutch pinch hit, this time, a double to the gap. Madison Bundy (Sr., Anacortes, Wash., Oregon State) followed that up with a double of her own. Bundy later scored when Simmons knocked the third double of the inning into the outfield as the score went to 9-2.

The 'Roos tacked on three more runs in the top of the sixth, setting up another run-rule situation for CSUB in the bottom half of the inning. Cavazos singled with two outs, but Cinda Ramos, UMKC's Game 2 starter, closed the door and picked up a complete-game win.

Lyndsay Klimenko (So., Half Moon Bay, Calif., Half Moon Bay HS) was the unfortunate recipient of a poor defensive effort behind her. Bakersfield's starter pitched 5.1 innings and gave up 11 runs, only two of which were earned as a result of six CSUB errors.

With the loss, the 'Runners dropped to 13-16, 1-1 WAC, but will have a chance to take the series on Saturday. CSUB will host UMKC (18-17, 1-1 WAC) for one final game to decide the WAC-opening series. First pitch of Saturday's game is scheduled for 1 p.m. as the 'Runners will attempt to win just their second WAC-series since joining the conference in 2014.

~GoRunners.com~