BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Roadrunner softball team returns to action this weekend at the Santa Clara Round Robin. CSU Bakersfield will tackle four games in two days in Santa Clara, Calif., Mar. 19-20.
“We played well this past weekend and we hope to continue that going into this weekend,” said Crissy Buck-Ziegler, Head Coach of the 'Runners. “We have to keep working together and it seems like our bats are starting to come alive.”
Buck-Ziegler's squad had three of its five games at the Fresno State Classic rained out last weekend. The 'Runners are itching to get back on the field and tackle their opponents. CSUB will open the Santa Clara Round Robin on Friday, Mar. 20, with games against North Dakota and Colgate. Saturday will feature another pair of games for CSUB, closing out the invitational against Dartmouth and host Santa Clara.
CSU Bakersfield fell in their two games that were not rained out last weekend, but showed promise, especially in its contest with Weber State. The 'Runners came from behind to take a late-lead on the Wildcats, but were unable to seal the deal in the 5-4 loss. Buck-Zielger's team has the drive and is learning how to close out close games.
North Dakota comes into the weekend with a record of 5-18 while losing eight of their last nine games. Colgate will travel from Hamilton, N.Y. to Southern California. The Raiders came into the week with a 1-6 record and will play a doubleheader against San José State before entering the Santa Clara Round Robin.
CSUB's Day 2 opponents, Dartmouth and Santa Clara, both come into the Round Robin with sub-.500 records, but will not be walkovers for the 'Runners. Dartmouth is 2-7 this season, but has played very tough competition recently in Oklahoma State and No. 14 Oklahoma. The host Bronco's have also faced strong opponents on the way to a 5-19 record: Cal State Fullerton, WAC member Seattle U, Nevada, Wisconsin, and UNLV.
Saturday's first game between CSUB and North Dakota is set for 9 a.m., while the Colgate game will begin at 3 p.m. The 'Runners will take on Dartmouth at 11 a.m. on Sunday before closing out the Round Robin against Santa Clara at 1 p.m.
