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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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ChrisHipaMN04
Mark Nessia/Mark Nessia Photography
8
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 11-15
10
Winner Santa Clara SCU 8-18
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
11-15
8
Final
10
Santa Clara SCU
8-18
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 3 0 0 0 1 4 0 8 8 2
Santa Clara SCU 2 1 1 2 2 2 X 10 13 2

W: ANDERSON, L. (2-7) L: Hipa, Chris (0-1)

6
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 12-15
5
Pacific PAC 14-17
Winner
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
12-15
6
Final
5
Pacific PAC
14-17
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 R H E
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 1 6 8 3
Pacific PAC 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 5 13 2

W: Azevedo, Kiara (6-3) L: REED (6-6) S: Hipa, Chris (1)

Game Recap: Softball |

`Runner Bats Keep Swinging as CSUB Splits in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield's softball team looked to the offensive power of its flying Hawaiians Cydney Curran and Chris Hipa, to lead the Roadrunners to a two-game split at the Fresno State Invitational on Saturday. Bakersfield's middle infield of Curran and Hipa combined for six extra-base hits and six RBI as CSUB fell to Santa Clara and earned a victory over Pacific.

Offense was not the only thing on display for the `Runners in Fresno as Bakersfield's defense recorded five double plays on the day. CSUB came into the week ranked second in all of NCAA Division I with an average of just under one double play per game. The `Runners enjoyed seeing senior Paige Johnson and Curran both make a pair of diving snags on line drives that led to double plays.

CSUB 8, Santa Clara 10

The `Runners got out to a quick lead over the Broncos with three runs in the first inning. Senior Nicole Curry delivered an RBI single that scored freshman Samantha Pech from second base. Hipa quickly followed that up with a two-run blast to deep center field, putting Bakersfield ahead 3-0.

Santa Clara answered back with a pair of runs in the first and then one run in both the second and third innings, giving the Broncos a 4-3 advantage. Another pair of SCU runs in the fourth put CSUB down 6-3 heading into the fifth frame.

Curran tallied her second triple of the game to lead off the top of the fifth and was promptly scored on Paige Johnson's sacrifice fly. The Broncos tacked on another pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning, extending their lead to 8-4.

Bakersfield started a big rally in the top of the sixth inning, loading the bases and then capitalizing on a couple of Santa Clara errors. With three runs already across, redshirt freshman Katie Jackson singled in a run to cap CSUB's four-run inning. The `Runners and Broncos went to the bottom of the sixth tied at 8-8.

SCU was relentless on the offensive end of the game and posted two more runs in the sixth to regain the lead. The `Runners were unable to rally in the seventh and fell to the Broncos, 10-8.

Curry, Curran, and Hipa tallied two hits each against the Broncos. Johnson, a senior third baseman, went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and an RBI. Hipa, CSUB's starting second baseman, took the loss in the circle after entering to pitch the sixth inning. Starter Daryn Hitzel threw 3.0 innings, allowing six runs, four of which were unearned.

CSUB 6, Pacific 5 (8 inn.)

The Tigers were able to score one run in the second and third innings, putting the `Runners in an early, 2-0 hole. CSUB answered back with a three-run top of the fourth thanks to another homer from Hipa. The shot to left center also plated Pech and Curry and gave Bakersfield a 3-2 lead on Pacific. Another pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth put the Tigers back on top, 4-3.

Curran started the top of the fifth with her third triple of the day before Karah Wiseman's squeeze bunt plated Curran and tied the score at 4-4. A throwing error allowed Wiseman to reach first base safely before the Tigers threw the ball away trying to get Wiseman out at second. The second error allowed Bakersfield's speedy catcher to wheel around third and score on the wild play, giving CSUB a 5-4 advantage.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, a pair of doubles helped Pacific tie the score once again. Both teams went scoreless in the seventh, sending CSUB to extra innings for the fourth time this season.

In the top of the eighth, the international tiebreak rule placed Arianna Felix on second base. Curry advanced her to third on a sacrifice bunt before Hipa came up clutch again, recording an RBI double to plate Felix and put the `Runners ahead 6-5.

Hipa returned to the circle to pitch the bottom of the eighth and got Pacific to line into its fourth double play of the game for the first two outs. After a single gave the Tigers an ounce of hope, Hipa induced a fly ball to end the game, earning her first save of the year.

Senior Nadia Amezcua went 3-for-4 for the `Runners in Saturday's second game while Hipa recorded two more hits. A native of Aiea, Hawaii, Hipa tallied four RBI against Pacific, just one shy of her career-high. Freshman Kiara Azevedo pitched the first seven innings of the game, allowing five runs while only three were earned runs. Azevedo, who hails from Los Banos, Calif., picked up her team-high sixth win of the season.

Tomorrow

The `Runners (12-15) will close out the Fresno State Invitational on Sunday with two final games. CSUB is set for a rematch against Santa Clara before wrapping up the tournament Sunday evening against the host Bulldogs. Live stats and live streams will be available for both games tomorrow and links for both options are available on the CSUB softball schedule page.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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