BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – An offensive outburst led CSU Bakersfield's softball team to a season-high 13 hits and a come-from-behind Western Athletic Conference victory over Seattle U on Friday afternoon. Senior Sydney Raeber went 2-for-4 in the game with two RBI and pitched a perfect seventh inning in relief to close the door on the Redhawks in the 7-2 win.

Crissy Buck-Ziegler, Head Coach of the 'Runners, applauded the top of her order as CSUB's 1-4 hitters tallied eight hits on Friday: “We have needed that all season. It's great to see that those guys are finally relaxed and trusting in one another. It's fun to see that and I think they all did an excellent job of finding a way to get on base.”

Raeber, who has been one of the offensive catalysts for the 'Runners throughout her four-year career, stepped up when the CSUB needed it most. Sophomore Julea Cavazos also helped the 'Runners by going 3-for-4 from the leadoff spot while a total of five women had two or more hits on Friday for CSUB.

Seattle U jumped out to a quick start when Isabella Geronimo's double to the right center gap plated leadoff batter Paige Bouska in the top of the first inning. The 'Runners settled down and stranded Geronimo at second, but came to bat with a 1-0 deficit. CSUB put 'Runners on second and third in the bottom of the first, but was unable to capitalize on the scoring opportunity.

In the top of the third, Geronimo got her second RBI of the game as the left fielder singled to bring Bouska home again. After Seattle U took a 2-0 lead, starter Amber Mills got the final two outs of the inning by stranding a pair of Redhawks on base.

The 'Runners finally converted on their opportunities in the bottom of the third. Alex Simmons led off with a single, stole second, and scored on an error. Raeber then came around to score on Chris Hipa's single as the 'Runners tied the score at two runs apiece. Kaylynn Burt's bloop single to right field allowed a third run to come around as CSUB took a 3-2 lead into the fourth inning.

“I challenged them and they responded extremely well,” said Buck-Ziegler when asked how her team turned the momentum around. “This team has shown that they can rise up to challenges. That's been a motto of ours and we haven't been true to that all year. We're finally starting to rise up to challenges.”

An error in the bottom of the fourth helped CSUB extend its lead to 4-2. With Cavazos on second, Hipa hit a single to left field. The throw in was muffed and skirted away as Cavazos alertly ran home for another Roadrunner run.

In the bottom of the fifth, the 'Runners loaded the bases with one out thanks to an error and back-to-back singles by Adrianna Cardoza and Cavazos. Seattle U induced a ground out and made a play at the plate to make it two outs. Raeber's clutch, two-RBI single put the 'Runners ahead by four runs before a wild pitch scored a third run as CSUB went up 7-2.

Mills continued to hold off the Redhawks and Raeber came on to close out the game in the seventh. Raeber retired Seattle U in order and held the win for CSUB. Mills, a senior from Fresno, Calif., earned the victory in the circle while scattering eight hits, allowing just two runs, and striking out four Redhawks.

Simmons, a senior shortstop, stole her 13th base of the season in the third inning. The base swipe helped the native of Ontario, Calif. break a tie and become CSUB's Division I single-season record holder for stolen bases.

Hipa drove in her sixth run in the year while adding a pair of singles to CSUB's 13-hit total. All of Bakersfield's hits on Friday were singles as contact hitting and small ball continues to generate runs for the 'Runners.

The Roadrunners (11-26, 3-4 WAC) will meet back up with the Redhawks (15-25, 1-6 WAC) in a doubleheader to close the WAC series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Roadrunner Softball Complex.

~GoRunners.com~