BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The ecstasy that comes with winning CSU Bakersfield's first WAC Softball Tournament still has not worn off for the Roadrunners, but the squad will have to focus on the task ahead as the WAC Champions are set to begin the NCAA Division I Regionals in Los Angeles this weekend.
“We are excited about the weekend and having the opportunity to compete in our first-ever Division I Regional,” said Crissy Buck-Ziegler, Head Coach of the 'Runners. “The girls have kept their routine the same and can't wait to compete.”
CSUB will begin the Regional competition with a tall task, facing No. 12 UCLA at the Bruins' Easton Stadium. UCLA, which was 35-13-1 on the season and 16-5-1 in Pac-12 play, will welcome the 'Runners for Friday's first-round game at 6 p.m.
The Bruins are led by a pair of student-athletes batting over .400 on the season: outfielder Allexis Bennett and second baseman Kylee Perez. The UCLA pitching staff is strong, but has been hittable this season with a team ERA of 3.75 coming into the NCAA Regional. Johanna Grauer and Selina Ta'amilo have split starts almost evenly, while the latter paced the Bruins this season with 107 strikeouts.
The Roadrunners and Bruins have met six times in the all-time series. In their last meeting on Mar. 9, 2014, the 'Runners fell to then No. 3/4 UCLA by a score of 4-2. The Bruins took an early 2-0 lead with a two-run home run by freshman Delaney Spaulding. CSUB answered back in the top of the third with a pair of runs of their own. Sydney Raeber's two-RBI double evened the score at 2-2. The game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth when UCLA got solo home runs from Mysha Sataraka and Jessica Hall. The 'Runners went down in order in the top of the seventh as UCLA held on for a 4-2 win.
The double elimination tournament will run May 20-22 with CSUB set to face off against either Cal State Fullerton or Fresno State in its second-round matchup.
For more details about CSUB's Regional games, including tickets and travel, please check out the CSUB Tournament Central Page for more information and updates.
~GoRunners.com~
