BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – After rain canceled the original opening weekend, the Roadrunner softball team finally kicked off its 2018 home schedule with a doubleheader split against San Diego on Saturday. CSU Bakersfield enjoyed playing in front of over 250 fans, family, and alumni, many of whom stayed after the games to celebrate the `Runners christening their brand new dugouts and bullpens.
"It's really special to watch people be so passionate about our program," said Crissy Buck-Ziegler, Head Coach of the `Runners. "It's really cool to have these alumni come back all these years later. It was something special in their time and we're very grateful for everything they have given us. We hope to keep giving back to them."
On Friday, CSUB earned its second victory of the season behind freshman Daryn Hitzel's pitching gem and a walk-off base hit by junior Paige Johnson. Game 2 saw San Diego take an early, 3-0 lead and a CSUB rally come up just short.
Buck-Ziegler went on to talk about Friday's pair of games and the team's excitement for the walk-off victory: "The girls have been waiting for that moment for a long time. It was fun to see Paige's demeanor, to see how calm she was. She was built for that moment. I thought we played pretty well in the second game. I thought we competed really well and Summer threw a gutsy ball game. We all called the walk-off in the second game, but I just didn't happen. I like how the team is fighting and sticking together."
Game 1
An error helped the Toreros take a one-run lead in the top of the first inning. Freshman pitcher Daryn Hitzel struck out the final batter of the frame to get the `Runners out of a bases-loaded jam, limiting the damage to just one run.
In the bottom of the first, CSUB struck right back to tie the score up at 1-1. With Kaylynn Burt on second base, Paige Johnson singled up the middle and Bakersfield's speedy left fielder beat the throw home.
The game turned into a pitchers' duel with neither offense being able to muster anything against USD starter, Halle Kyler, and CSUB's Hitzel. The Toreros applied some pressure in the top of the seventh with a lead-off single, but the `Runners got a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play to get out of trouble.
With the international tiebreaker in effect in the top of the eighth inning, USD got a runner to third base on a wild pitch with no outs. Hitzel proceeded to retire the next three batters and stranded the runner. With Cydney Curran placed on second in the bottom of the eighth, Julea Cavazos laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to set up a walk-off opportunity for CSUB. USD intentionally walked the bases loaded to get to Paige Johnson.
CSUB's third baseman made several solid defensive plays in the game and was ready to make an impact from the plate. Johnson roped a line drive to left field that short hopped the fielder's glove and scored Curran, giving the `Runners a 2-1, walk-off victory.
Johnson finished the game going 2-for-4 from the plate and drove in both runs for CSUB. Burt had the only other hit for the `Runners as Kyler put together an impressive line in the loss. Earning her first win of the season, Hitzel finished with an eight-inning complete game, three hits, two walks, and one unearned run.
Game 2
In the top of the second, San Diego put runners on the corners with one out and scored on a sacrifice fly by Shelbi Evans. CSUB starter Summer Evans limited the damage to just one run, but the Toreros pressured again in the top of the third inning. With a pair of runners in scoring position and no outs, Hannah Gilliland's RBI double down the line brought one run home and another sac fly gave USD a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, Karah Wiseman got the first `Runner hit of the game with a single up the middle. Later in the frame, Wiseman wheeled around third and scored on Cavazos' RBI single to make the score 3-1. The Toreros pressured again in the top of the fourth, putting two runners in scoring position with no outs, but Evans and the `Runners defense got out of the jam.
With a pair of `Runners on base and only one out in the bottom of the fifth, USD decided to go to the bullpen. Hannah Boos came in to relieve, but Curran's single to right loaded the bases. With two outs, Burt got hit by a pitch to drive in a run and make the score 3-2.
Down to their final three outs, the `Runners started to rally. Junior transfer Halle Neher recorded her first hit of the season to lead off. A Cavazos walk and a Burt single loaded the bases with one out, but a double play ended CSUB's rally early.
Cavazos was 1-for-3 in Game 2 and twice reached base safely while driving in one run. Sixth other `Runners tallied hits as CSUB combined for seven total. Evans pitched a complete game while scattering nine hits and allowing just three runs to USD.
CSU Bakersfield (2-18) and San Diego (16-14) will return to the Roadrunner Softball Complex on Sunday to close out the series with one final game. First pitch of Sunday's rubber match was originally scheduled for an earlier start, but was moved back to 12 p.m. due to the expected evening rain.
~GoRunners.com~
