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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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March 12, Cal State Bakersfield: CSUB vs North Dakota, at Cal State Bakersfield on March 12, 2019. David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography
David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography
0
Kansas City UMKC 28-14, 4-7 WAC
1
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 14-20, 3-5 WAC
Kansas City UMKC
28-14, 4-7 WAC
0
Final
1
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
14-20, 3-5 WAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Kansas City UMKC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 0 0 0 0 1 0 X 1 4 1

W: Fitch, Avery (3-3) L: Packard, Kailyn (7-6)

5
Winner Kansas City UMKC 25-18, 5-7 WAC
4
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 14-21, 3-5 WAC
Winner
Kansas City UMKC
25-18, 5-7 WAC
5
Final
4
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
14-21, 3-5 WAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Kansas City UMKC 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 11 1
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 4 8 2

W: Cannon, DJ (8-6) L: Fitch, Avery (3-4)

Game Recap: Softball |

Fitch's Shutout Helps CSUB Split Doubleheader

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield softball team looked primed to take its second Western Athletic Conference series of the season, nearly reusing the same formula from when the Roadrunners overcame a 1-0 series deficit against California Baptist by sweeping the Saturday doubleheader against Kansas City. This time around, the visiting Roos got the best of the `Runners in the series finale and left Bakersfield with a 2-1 series win.

Freshman Avery Fitch threw her first collegiate complete game and shutout to lead CSUB to a 1-0 victory over UMKC in Game 1 of Saturday's twin bill. The `Runners then found themselves leading 4-0 heading into the seventh inning of the second game, but Kansas City rallied for five runs in the frame and held off CSUB to win 5-4.
 
CSUB 1, UMKC 0

A pitchers' duel broke out between Fitch and UMKC's Kailyn Packard. Both hurlers held the opposing teams scoreless through the first four innings en route to a pair of stunning, complete-game performances.

CSUB finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning with a rally started by freshman Samantha Pech. The pinch hitter walked and was subbed back out for CSUB's starting left fielder, Nakaila Fuggs, who made a pair of dazzling, diving catches in the game. Fuggs moved to second on a single by Cydney Curran and eventually made it to third base on Karah Wiseman's two-out single. Senior Nicole Curry drew a full count, bases loaded walk to drive in what proved to be the only run of the game.

UMKC responded in the top of the sixth with their own bases-loaded opportunity. An error with two outs prolonged the inning and set up the jam, but Fitch shook it off and induced a fly ball to end the threat and keep CSUB ahead 1-0.

A freshman from Chowchilla, Calif., Fitch came back out in the top of the seventh and needed just eight pitches to finish off the best game of her young career. The righty earned her first collegiate complete game and shutout, scattering five hits and three walks while striking out a career-high four batters.

Curry's lone RBI proved to be the difference on the scoreboard. The senior designated player recorded a pair of walks in Game 1, using her veteran eyes to make an impact. Ally Miller, Katie Jackson, Wiseman, and Curran each tallied one hit for the `Runners while Fuggs scored the game-winning run in the fourth.

CSUB 4, UMKC 5

The `Runners jumped out to an early, 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Miller continued hitting well, leading the frame off with a single and the freshman capitalized on a UMKC error to reach third. Senior Nadia Amezcua recorded one of her three hits in Game 2, plating Miller and giving CSUB a one-run advantage.

One inning later, back-to-back singles from Fuggs and Curran gave the `Runners a solid scoring opportunity. Miller walked to load the bases and Wiseman grounded out to drive in the second run of the game.

In the top of the fourth, the Roos had a run erased by a hitter batting out of order. In the bottom half of the frame, the `Runners tacked on two more runs thanks to a sacrifice fly from Pech and a sacrifice bunt from Wiseman. CSUB took a 4-0 lead all the way to the seventh inning with sophomore Daryn Hitzel scattering just six hits to hold UMKC scoreless through the first six innings.

The Roos began to rally in the seventh, scoring one run on an RBI single. Buck-Ziegler called to the bullpen to bring Fitch in for Hitzel, but the freshman was unable to slow the UMKC momentum. A two-RBI double pulled Kansas City within one run, then an RBI single coupled with a fielding error in the outfield helped the Roos go ahead 5-4. Freshman Kiara Azevedo came in and finally recorded the third out of the frame, but the damage had already been done.

Down to their final out, Amezcua, who went 3-for-4 in Game 2, singled to keep Bakersfield's hopes alive. In a 1-2 hole early in her at bat, Ariana Acedo sent a ball sailing down the left field line. The `Runner bench exploded with joy as it traveled over the fence, but the home plate umpire signaled a foul ball as CSUB's hopes of a walk-off home run were squashed. Despite working the count full, Acedo would strikeout to end the game as UMKC completed its come-from-behind victory.

Fitch took the loss after allowing the tying run to score and the unearned, go-ahead run coming on her watch as well. Hitzel threw six and a third innings, allowing three runs while fanning three Roos.

Fuggs' bat heated up in the second game as the left fielder went 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Amezcua's three hits tied a career high for the senior center fielder while Bakersfield's outfield combined for six hits in Game 2 thanks to a single from Miller.

Next Week

The `Runners (14-21, 3-5 WAC) will continue WAC play next week with a road trip to Seattle, Wash. The Seattle U Redhawks will welcome CSUB to the Pacific Northwest for a three-game set, Apr. 19-20.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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