LAS CRUCES, N.M. – A valiant comeback effort came up short for the CSU Bakersfield softball team, which fell to the Western Athletic Conference-leading NM State Aggies on Friday night. A career night of four RBI by freshman Chris Hipa was not quite enough as the 'Runners fell 6-5 at the NM State Softball Complex.

“I liked how we adjusted today,” said Crissy Buck-Ziegler, Head Coach of the 'Runners. “We worked hard and stayed together.” The 'Runners battled back from a 6-2 deficit to put a 'Runner just two bases away from tying the game. CSUB's pitching staff also did well to allow just five earned runs to an NMSU side whose WAC opponents have had a 7.47 ERA.

The 'Runners got out to a quick start with a run in the top of the first inning. Leadoff batter Julea Cavazos reached safely on an error and moved from first to third on a sacrifice bunt by Alex Simmons. Hipa ran out an infield chopper for an RBI single as Cavazos scored and put the 'Runners up 1-0.

After an 80-minute lightning delay in the bottom of the first, the 'Runners and Aggies got back to action. Two quiet half innings proceeded a loud bottom of the second. NMSU loaded the bases with no outs before Tatum Reedy hit a grand slam. The 'Runners responded well, retiring the next three Aggies in order, but NMSU took a 4-1 lead to the third inning.

Cavazos beat out a throw for a bunt single in the top of the third and used speed to end up on third base after a throwing error. With Simmons on second, both she and Cavazos scored on an infield grounder by Hipa after Simmons turned on the afterburners to beat the throw home. CSUB used the pair of runs to cut the deficit to just one run in a 4-3 ball game.

Another bases-loaded, no outs situation helped the Aggies put another pair of runs on the board to lead 6-3 in the bottom half of the third. In the top of the fifth with Cavazos on first, Simmons' first triple of the year scored her teammate. Hipa converted her fourth RBI of the day with a two-out single to cut the score to 6-5.

Down to their final three outs, Adrianna Cardoza led off the top of the seventh with a single to left field. The redshirt senior second baseman would up in scoring position thanks to a passed ball, but the 'Runners were unable to finish the comeback. A line drive by Sydney Raeber was pulled down with a snow cone grab to preserve the 6-5 victory for the Aggies.

Hipa finished the game 2-for-3 with a career-high four RBI while Cardoza also had a pair of singles. CSUB's starter, senior Amber Mills, pitched 3.1 innings while giving up five earned runs off of four hits and two walks. Freshman Alyssa Stockton pitched well in relief for the 'Runners, giving up just one walk and one hit in 2.2 innings.

The Roadrunners (13-27, 5-5 WAC) and Aggies (30-19, 9-1 WAC) will return to the NM State Softball Complex on Saturday for a doubleheader to close the WAC series. First pitch of Game 1 tomorrow is scheduled for 3 p.m. (PT). Live stats will be available again, but the games will not be live streamed like Friday's game.

~GoRunners.com~