BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Roadrunner softball team opened its final Western Athletic Conference series of the season with a loss to Grand Canyon Friday afternoon. Senior Briana Pontecorvo led the 'Runners with a pair of hits in the game, but a last-inning rally was cut short as the Antelopes claimed the 6-1 victory.

“I don't think we played as a team today,” said Crissy Buck-Ziegler, Head Coach of the 'Runners after the loss. “I think we played very individually. We haven't played that way in the past four weeks. You can't win if you don't play as a team.”

CSUB did not struggle to put 'Runners on base on Friday afternoon, collecting seven hits and two walks along with three hit batters. Bakersfield did, however, struggle to hit with 'Runners on base, leaving a total of 10 women stranded in the game.

Buck-Ziegler went on to talk about what her team has to do to turn around for Saturday's final two games of the season: “We have to stay within ourselves. We're trying to get too big of hits. We're allowing the weekend to take over. We need to play the game that is in front of us. I'm challenging them to come out together and play their game.”

Pontecorvo, a senior from Hanford, Calif., doubled to lead off the bottom of the second inning for the 'Runners. With two outs, sophomore Kaylynn Burt delivered a single to right field. Pontecorvo rounded third, but came too far off the bag as a strong throw from right fielder Briielle Breland resulted in a rundown to end the threat.

Grand Canyon took the lead thanks to a pair of runs in the top of the third. Shea Smith's RBI double put GCU ahead 1-0 before Camree Wartman's sacrifice fly brought Smith home for a 2-0 advantage.

Madelyn Dowdle doubled the GCU score with one swing in the top of the fourth. The left fielder's home run put the 'Lopes ahead 4-0. The next batter doubled off the left field wall and knocked CSUB's starter, Amber Mills, out of the game. Freshman Alyssa Stockton came in and recorded the final two outs of the inning.

The 'Runners responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Sydney Raeber reached on an error and was moved to second when Pontecorvo was hit by a pitch. Junior Josie Flores earned a pinch-hit, infield single before an errant throw by GCU's second baseman allowed Raeber to come around and score. CSUB cut into its deficit, but was only able to get the one run, still trailing the 'Lopes 4-1.

The 'Lopes tacked on another pair of runs in the top of the sixth. Shea Smith and Nicole Newbury recorded back-to-back RBI singles to take a 6-1 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, the 'Runners put two women in scoring position with just one out, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Another two baserunners were stranded in the bottom of the seventh as CSUB's rally was smoldered.

Pontecorvo paced the 'Runners, reaching base three of her four times at bat while earning two hits. “We had some bright spots for the day,” said Buck-Ziegler. “I think that Bri was one of them. She did a good job of looking for her pitch and driving it. I thought Alyssa threw pretty well. There was the inning that she gave up a couple runs, but, I didn't think we played very well behind her.” Stockton pitched 3.2 innings in relief, allowing just four hits and no walks in her first outing against the 'Lopes.

The Roadrunners (13-30, 5-8 WAC) and Antelopes (33-15, 8-5 WAC) will conclude the WAC series and regular season with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch on Senior Day is scheduled for 1 p.m. while the seven 'Runner seniors will be celebrated between Games 1 and 2.

~GoRunners.com~