ALUBUQUERQUE, N.M.--The CSU Bakersfield softball team dropped a pair of games to close out the Lobo Classic on Saturday. While the Roadrunner pitching struggled, the CSUB offense continued to swing the bat well. Adrianna Cardoza (R-Jr., Santa Ana, Calif., La Quinta HS) led the way with multiple hits in both games.

"We did not control what we can control," said Crissy Buck-Ziegler, head coach of the Roadrunners. "It was a very disappointing day with very few adjustments made to put us in a position to win the ball game."

Game 1 - Rutgers 9, CSUB 4

Rutgers threatened early in the game when Chandler Howard's one-out double in the bottom of the first set up a potential scoring situation. Kelsie Monroe (Sr., Los Banos, Calif., San Joaquin Delta College), who earned her 12th start of the year for the 'Runners, induced a groundout and fly ball to end the threat. In the bottom of the second inning, Rutgers loaded the bases with two outs, but Monroe got revenge on Howard with a strikeout to end the inning.

Cardoza got the offense rolling for the 'Runners when she singled in the top of the third inning. Selena Gonzalez (So., Manteca, Calif., San Joaquin Delta College) tripled to right center to give CSUB a 1-0 advantage on Rutgers. Three wild pitches from Monroe allowed the Scarlet Knights to take a total of four free bases in the bottom half of the inning. Jordan Whitley and Stephanie Huang both hit RBI singles to give Rutgers a 2-1 lead.

Continuing the theme from Friday, the 'Runners capitalized on another two-out rally in the top of the fourth. After Josie Flores (So., Modesto, Calif., Utah Valley) doubled in a run, Cardoza got her second single of the day and drove in two runs. The two hits, along with a Rutgers error which would have ended the inning, gave the 'Runners a 4-2 lead through 3.5 innings.

Bates proved to be a nuisance for both 'Runner pitchers as the Rutgers centerfielder hit a two-run home run off of Lyndsay Klimenko (So., Half Moon Bay, Calif., Half Moon Bay HS). The sophomore had come on to relieve Monroe, as she successfully did the day prior, but was unable to repeat her performance of three scoreless innings. The Scarlet Knights managed to score six runs in the fourth inning off of Klimenko and her reliever, Amber Mills (Jr., Fresno, Calif., Clovis West HS), to take a 8-4 lead.

Rutgers picked up another run in the next inning to make the score 9-4. Rutgers (5-5) got a complete-game win out of Shayla Sweeney, who only gave up only one earned run to CSUB. Klimenko (1-2) picked up the loss while the 'Runners sank to 7-11 on the season. Cardoza led the way for the 'Runner offense, going 2-for-3 in the game with two RBI.

Game 2 - New Mexico 8, CSUB 1

After going down 1-0 in the first inning, Sydney Raeber (Jr., Hanford, Calif., Hanford HS) got roughed up by the Lobos in the second inning. New Mexico scored six runs to take a 7-1 lead and would not look back. The scoring started with a RBI triple from Brandi Heimburg and ended with a two-RBI single from Mia Hignojos.

In the top of the fourth, the 'Runners loaded the bases with two outs to set up a big opportunity to score, but freshman Nicole Curry (Martinez, Calif., Alhambra HS) popped up in the infield to end the threat.

The Lobos added another run in the bottom of the fifth before loading the bases with two outs. The bases-loaded jam was the first big trouble Monroe got herself into since relieving Raeber in the second inning. The senior righty induced a pop out to end the threat and keep the 'Runners in the game with a seven-run deficit. Monroe finished the game with 4.2 innings pitched while giving up only one run (no earned runs), two hits, and six walks.

Cardoza remained hot, going 2-for-2 in Game 2 and finishing the day with four hits, one walk, and three RBI. After the loss, the 'Runners dropped to 7-12 while Raeber picked up her third loss of the year.

CSUB will return to Bakersfield for two doubleheaders in the upcoming week. First, the 'Runners will host Western Carolina with two games on Wednesday, Mar. 11. Then, Boise State will come for a Sunday morning doubleheader on Mar. 15.

~GoRunners.com~