El Paso, TX – The Cal State Bakersfield softball team entered day one of the UTEP/NMSU Invitational coming off two losses to New Mexico. CSUB quickly turned things around thanks to a great pitching performance by Brianna Sanchez and a pair of home runs from Shaylene Fuimaono and Savanna Montoya. In Game 2 the game was tied heading into the sixth inning, although UTEP would eventually break the game open and put the Roadrunners away.
CSUB 4, Tarleton State 1
· After two scoreless innings, the third inning started with a bunt single by Kaia Johnson. Johnson was able to advance to second after a sac bunt by Maia Williams and then advanced to third after a Reina Castillo groundout. With two out, Fuimaono hits a two-run home run to right center field to put the Roadrunners up 2-0.
· Sanchez would settle in only allowing one run and two hits after the Fuimaono homerun.
· In the top of the fourth, Samantha Martinez led off the inning with a triple to right field. Following the triple, Karissa Munsey hit a double down the rightfield line, scoring Martinez.
· CSUB added an insurance run in the top of the sixth after a Montoya homerun, extending their lead 4-1.
· In the final inning, Johnson made a great diving catch to get the first out of the inning. Sanchez would go on to retire the next two, setting down the side in order and putting together her third complete game of the year.
CSUB 4, UTEP 12
· Bakersfield would strike first in the top of the second as Martinez scored on a Natalya Rodriguez groundout to second putting the `Runners up 1-0.
· UTEP answered back in the bottom of the frame with a two-run home run to left center field. The Miners added two more after singling up the middle scoring runners from second and third.
· The Roadrunners plated three runs on four hits in the bottom of the third. Montoya and Munsey singled then later scored on a Rodriguez double to right center. Johnson singled to shortstop bringing in Rodriguez to knot the game up at four.
· In the bottom of the fifth, the Miners jumped out in front 5-4 with a solo shot to centerfield of Kirsten Martinez. UTEP would add six more to their lead later in the same inning.
Quotes from Head Coach Daniel Sperl
· "One big inning put a bit of a damper on a great day of softball for our team. We worked from the first pitch of game one to the final pitch tonight, with focus and execution. It's exactly how we want to play and what we're capable of."
· "We threatened all day at the plate and consistently had great at-bats. Defensively we were sharp and aggressive. Obviously, we can't issue that many free passes and expect to beat good teams."
· "There is a lot for us to build on today, and we showed ourselves quite a bit. We need to continue to bring that level of accountability every night, starting tomorrow against two very good opponents."
Up Next on the Schedule
· CSUB continues the UTEP/NMSU Invitational tomorrow
· Vs. #4 Oklahoma State, Feb. 25, 8 a.m. (PT)
· Vs. Nebraska, Feb. 25, 3:30 p.m. (PT)
· La Cruces, N.M.
· NM State Softball Complex
~GoRunners.com~
