FRESNO, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield softball team squeezed in a game before the rain cancelled the rest of the Fresno State Classic's first-day games. The Roadrunners went toe-to-toe with San Diego State, but eventually fell to the Aztecs, 2-1.

"I thought we pitched really well today," said CSUB's Head Coach, Crissy Buck-Ziegler, after her pitching staff allowed only three hits and one unearned run in the contest. "We were too aggressive on the base paths, but it was a good all-around game."

The 'Runners created a great scoring opportunity in the top of the third with bases loaded and no outs. A double play looked like it would slow the 'Runner momentum, but two straight walks brought in the first run of the game. Left fielder Kaylynn Burt and right fielder Julea Cavazos each had singles in the inning and Alex Simmons eventually scored on Selena Gonzalez's RBI walk to give CSUB a 1-0 lead.

The Aztecs answered right back with a run in the bottom half of the third. With runners on the corners, a throwing error allowed San Diego State's right fielder Zaria Meshack to come around and score. In the bottom of the fifth inning, SDSU scored what turned out to be the game-winning run. Meshack led off the inning with a bunt single and eventually scored on a pinch-hit single by Sydnee Cable to take a 2-1 lead.

Down to their final out, Simmons singled to give CSUB a baserunner and some hope of a rally, but SDSU's Erica Romero finished out the victory and her two-inning save. Sophomore Alex Formby picked up the win for the Aztecs while Bakersfield's senior Amber Mills took the loss after relieving for Lyndsay Klimenko.

Both of CSUB's pitchers threw well on Friday, each giving up just one run. Klimenko pitched the first three innings, allowing only one unearned run off of just one hit. Mills' run was earned, but the righty scattered two hits and one walk in her three innings. Burt led the 'Runners with a career-high two hits in the game while Cavazos was 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot.

With the rain cancelling the rest of Day 1's games, the schedule has changed a bit for the 'Runners (4-12). Instead of playing San Diego State twice, CSUB will now just play the Aztecs, and the other two teams in the tournament, just once. On Saturday, CSUB will still play Weber State at 10 a.m., but the Roadrunners' matchup against No. 7 Washington has been moved to Sunday. CSUB will meet the Huskies at 2 p.m. before taking on No. 22 Fresno State at 4:30 p.m.

~GoRunners.com~