California State University at Northridge
Cal State Bakersfield
CSUN Battles Cal State Bakersfield Next
4/23/2024 8:41:00 PM | Softball
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STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE
CSUN (19-22, 3-15 Big West) hits the road to face Cal State Bakersfield (4-36, 2-16 Big West) at the Roadrunner Softball Complex. The three-game series will open with a single game on Friday, Apr. 26, at 2:30 p.m. The Matadors and Roadrunners will wrap up the series with a double header on Saturday, Apr. 27. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m.
Tune in on ESPN+ and on @CSUNSoftball on Twitter for in-game updates. All games will have live stats. The links for the live stream and stats will be available on GoMatadors.com.
LAST IN THE BATTER'S BOX
Game One
UC Riverside started strong as the Highlanders scored in the top of the first inning with a home run sent flying into right field from Kat Montuya. The Highlanders continued their momentum in the second inning with an RBI single off the bat of Nadia Witt. The Matadors quickly responded as Sydney Freijanes singled into right field to bring in Jadyn Nielsen to cut the lead to 2-1. Isabella Alonso kept her cool in the circle as she retired the next three batters in the top of the third. CSUN closed the distance in the bottom of the third when Kylie Galindo singled through the right side to bring in Shaylan Whatman to tie the game at 2-2. The Highlanders broke the tie though in the fourth, collecting five runs on five hits to take a 7-2 lead. The Matadors refused to fold as Whatman hit a single to bring in Alexis Chavez before Kennedy Gustin scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth. Lulu Sanchez capped a three-run inning with an RBI single to bring in Whatman and cut the lead to 7-5. The Matadors threatened to score in the remaining innings, but the Highlanders would hold on to their lead. In the bottom of the seventh, CSUN picked up three hits, but Jizzell Ruiz was thrown out at the plate for the final out of the game.
Game Two
The game started strong as the Matadors and Highlanders engaged in a tense pitching duel. Carranco started strong as she retired nine batters in a row through the first three innings. The Highlanders managed to get a base runner in the top of the fourth via a leadoff single, but Carranco dispatched the next three batters. CSUN was the first to break through in the bottom of the fourth inning as Escutia hit a solo home run into right field to give the Matadors a 1-0 lead. Carranco sent the next three batters packing in the fifth inning, but the Highlanders threatened to score in the sixth inning after a leadoff double. Carranco though didn't flinch as she sat down the next three batters before going on to retire the side in order in the seventh to complete the shutout.
Game ThreeÂ
The Matadors came out swinging as Whatman hit a triple into left center to lead off the first. Sanchez gave CSUN a 1-0 lead as she hit a single right up the middle to bring in Whatman. The Matadors and Highlanders engaged in another nail-biting pitching duel as neither team scored any runs through the next six innings. The Highlanders managed to break through CSUN's pitching in the top of the seventh inning as a double from Trendee Kahunahana would bring in a runner to even the score. UC Riverside continued its momentum in the top of the eighth with another double to bring in two runners and take the lead, 3-1. The Matadors refused to fold as Whatman hit a leadoff single through the left side. Mikayla Carman was the next to get a hit as she fired a double down the left field line to bring Whatman to third. Galindo came up next with a sacrifice fly to bring in Whatman and cut the deficit to 3-2. Freijanes stepped up to bat looking to drive in the winning runs, but the Highlanders took the game with a final strikeout.Â
ABOUT CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD
The Roadrunners are coming off a 4-8 loss to Hawai'i after being swept by the Rainbow Wahine. Cal State Bakersfield adds nine freshmen to its roster this season. Junior Rylee Price leads the team with a .346 batting average. Junior Kaia Johnson tops the team off with 21 runs. Junior Logan-Ray Gaspar leads the team with 33 hits. Junior Karissa Munsey leads the Roadrunners with 14 RBIs. Senior pitcher Kirsten Martinez has pitched for 82.1 innings and tallied 19 strikeouts while holding a 5.61 ERA. Head coach Letty Olivarez is in her first season at the helm. CSUN leads series history with 53 wins and 20 losses. The last time the Matadors faced the Roadrunners was in 2023 when CSUN swept Cal State Bakersfield 3-0.
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