STANFORD, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield's softball team continued the Stanford Easton Classic on Saturday with two more games. The Roadrunners were more competitive with host Stanford before falling 8-3. In the nightcap, CSUB started a comeback in the seventh inning, but eventually lost to Wagner, 5-4.

Game 1

The `Runners took an early lead on Stanford, posting a run in the top of the first inning. Senior Julea Cavazos, who reached base safely four times on Saturday, led the game off with a walk and was eventually drive in by Chris Hipa's RBI grounder. The Cardinal answered right back to take a 2-1 lead into the second inning.

After back-to-back scoreless innings for CSUB starter Kaycee Olson, Stanford got on the board again with another pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. The `Runners responded with two runs of their own in the top of the fifth. Senior Maddi Clark's two-RBI single made the score 4-3 Stanford.

Four runs on two hits and an error gave the Cardinal back the lead as the two teams headed to the sixth inning. Both pitching staffs wound up shutting the opposition down from that point as the `Runners fell 8-3 to Stanford.

Cavazos, CSUB's leadoff hitter, was 2-for-3 with two runs and a walk in the first game of the day. Senior Kaylynn Burt and sophomore Cydney Curran added a hit each for the `Runners as well. Senior Summer Evans pitched 1.2 innings in relief for CSUB, allowing just one walk to the five Cardinal batters she faced.

Game 2

Wagner jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the `Runners in the top of the first thanks to three walks and a defensive miscue. Hipa got her second RBI of the day with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the frame as CSUB halved the Seahawk lead.

Two more runs from four hits helped Wagner extend its lead to 4-1 in the top of the second inning. CSUB put tallies on the board in the bottom of the third and fourth, cutting Wagner's lead to just one run. In the third, sophomore Jocelyn Betancourt's RBI single plated Burt. An inning later, an aggressive play on the base paths helped Curran score from second on a bunt single.

In the top of the fifth, Wagner got an insurance run that proved to be crucial. Trailing 5-3 and down to their final three outs, the `Runners began to rally. An RBI single by Hipa plated Burt, bringing CSUB within one run. A double play would end the game and secure the 5-4 victory for the Seahawks.

Burt reached base safely all four times at the plate with three hits and a walk to go with her RBI. Third baseman Paige Johnson went 2-for-4 while Hipa was 2-for-2 with a pair of RBI. Evans, who came in to relieve again, pitched five innings while scattering three hits and giving up just one run to Wagner.

The `Runners (1-16) will close out the Stanford Easton Classic on Sunday with one final game. CSUB will get one final shot at host Stanford (17-8) with first pitch
scheduled for 1:30 p.m. The game will once again be live streamed via Pac-12.com.
 

~GoRunners.com~