SEATTLE – The CSU Bakersfield softball team staved off constant pressure with runners in scoring position to defeat the top-seeded New Mexico State Aggies on Friday afternoon. The Roadrunners stranded 15 Aggies and held on to a 2-1 lead behind senior Sydney Raeber's three-inning save.

“Offensively, we did struggle, but I think that we just kept gritting it out and that's what you have to do,” said Crissy Buck-Ziegler, Head Coach of the 'Runners. “New Mexico State is a great hitting team, but I think our pitchers kept their cool. We didn't allow their hits to rattle us. We can't. We just have to go pitch to pitch.”

The tale of the game was NMSU's 15 runners left on base, as Buck-Ziegler's squad held off the Aggie offense inning after inning: “All year long, we have dealt with a lot of adversity and a lot of pressure. I think we have gone through mistakes that have helped secure us. We do what we do and we stick to fundamentals. Kaylynn Burt did a fantastic job in left field. Before the Tournament, I asked her to play a great outfield and run down everything and she has.” Burt, in fact, ran down a career-high nine fly balls on Friday.

The 'Runner offense struggled in much of the game, but CSUB got off to a quick start in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Alex Simmons got the 'Runners started with a double to the left field wall. Fellow senior Sydney Raeber was hit by a pitch and designated player Selena Gonzalez walked to load the bases with one out. NM State struck out the next batter, but freshman Chris Hipa's fly ball to left was dropped, allowing CSUB's only two runs of the game to score.

As they did early and often, the Aggies threatened to score in the top of the second. Senior starter Amber Mills and the 'Runner defense was able to slow one of the nation's top hitting teams. With two Aggies in scoring position and two outs, Mills induced a popup to keep NMSU off the scoreboard.

The pitchers' duel continued as both the 'Runners and Aggies prevented each other from scoring for the next three innings. In the top of the fifth, NMSU loaded the bases with no outs, forcing Raeber to come in from center field to relieve Mills in the circle. Raeber induced a pair of popups, but walked the next Aggie to bring home a run. Bakersfield's senior reliever got the final batter of the inning to fly out, holding on to a 2-1 lead.

The Aggies, who came into the game with the seventh-best team batting average (.346) in NCAA Division I, relentlessly pressured the 'Runner defense and pitchers. CSUB responded every inning, stranding a total of 15 Aggies on base in the game.

The bottom of the seventh inning fared the same as the previous innings as the Aggies loaded the bases with two outs. Raeber, who came into the game as CSUB's Division I leader in single-season (4) and career (8) saves, extended her own records by inducing a fly ball. Burt, CSUB's sophomore left fielder, tracked down her ninth fly ball of the game to send the 'Runners to the Championship game on Saturday.

NMSU's Karysta Donisthorpe struck out eight 'Runners and held CSUB to four hits and one walk in the complete-game loss. NMSU's two runs allowed proved to be costly and the 'Runner staff and defense stood the test for a victory.

Mills earned her second win of the tournament and her eighth of the season. Bakersfield's senior starter went four innings and gave up four hits while holding the Aggie offense to just one run. Raeber pitched the final three innings in relief, scattering three hits, but walked four batters en route to the save. The senior's ERA while pitching in relief dropped to an impressive 0.72 on the season.

The 'Runners have advanced to the WAC Championship game for the second-straight season. Seattle U and Utah Valley are set to play an elimination game next and the winner of that game will play in another knockout matchup against the Aggies Friday night. Saturday's Championship game is set for 1 p.m. Since the 'Runners have not yet lost in the WAC Tournament, they only need to win one Championship game to advance to the NCAA Regionals while their opponent will need to win twice.

~GoRunners.com~