RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Bakersfield softball team finished the 2023 season today in Riverside taking on the Highlanders. Maya Williams started this game with a bang, getting her first home run on the 2023 campaign. The game would be tied at three until UCR was able to drive in the winning run on a two out single in the bottom of the 8^th inning.

CSUB 3, UCR 4

• Maya Williams wasted no time getting Bakersfield on the board today with a solo shot to left center.
  • This is the second time a Roadrunner has led off the game with a home run this season.
• UC Riverside tied the game in the bottom of the first.
• The fourth inning started with back-to-back singles from Savanna Montoya and Samantha Martinez.
  • Maya Molina-Villareal cashed in with a single up the middle plating Montoya to narrow the Highlander lead 3-2.
  • CSUB tied it up after Tayler Thomas plated Molina-Villareal on a fielder's choice.
• The game remained tied and went into extras.
  • UCR got one on in the bottom of the 8^th inning, driving in the winning run with two outs on a single up the middle.
• Kirsten Martinez pitched 7.2 innings, giving up three runs.

Quotes from Head Coach Daniel Sperl

• "We competed hard from the first pitch and gave ourselves a chance to win. I am proud of how we completed today to close out the season."
• "Kirsten pitched a great game and we put up great at bats and threatened consistently. We had our chances but could not push the winning run across."
• "Really proud of our seniors Sam, Sav, and Carla for how they played today and the impact they have had on our program and university the last few seasons."