CSUN Wins Rubber Match Against Bakersfield, 9-2

NORTHRIDGE, Calif --- CSUN Softball defeated Cal State Bakersfield 9-2 to take the series two games to one Saturday afternoon at Matador Diamond. Mikayla Carman, Jerzie Liana and Tiara Westbrook each led the way with two RBI's. Lauryn Carranco pitched a complete game, only allowing two runs in the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Maya Molina-Villareal led off the game with a home run for the Roadrunners to put CSUN in an early 1-0 deficit.

In the bottom of the first, CSUN quickly went ahead after trailing. Carman led off the inning with a single and Jadyn Nielsen brought her home with a triple. Nielsen then scored when Westbrook hit a single off the left field wall to make it 2-1 through one.

One inning later, the Matadors added another run. Liana kicked off the second with a double to left center. Liana ended up scoring thanks to a double from Raegan Jackson to make it 3-1. After a Bakersfield pitching change, the home team added another. Carman singled off the heel of the pitcher and Jackson ended up scoring from second for a 4-1 lead through two innings.

In the bottom of the third, the Matadors' home run ball was on full display. Westbrook hit a long shot to straight-away center to make it 5-1. Alexis Chavez then reached on error before coming around to score on a Liana towering homer over the left center wall for a 7-1 lead. Alexa Landeros then singled to shortstop and Jackson walked. Both of those players would steal a base, making it second and third with two outs. Carman brought home Landeros with a single to make it 8-1.

In the next half inning, the Roadrunners got one back. A home run off the bat of freshman Maalia Cherry made it 8-2.

The score would remain 8-2 until the bottom of the sixth. Kaylee Escutia came into the game and doubled to center field. She scored when Vinessa Nunez singled through the left side, making it 9-2. Carranco got the final three outs in the top of the seventh to bring the win home for the Matadors.

NEWS AND NOTES

With the win, CSUN is now 19-22 and 12-8 in Big West play to go with an 11-10 home record.
Carman, Westbrook, Liana, Nielsen, Nunez and Jackson all registered RBI's in the win.
Carranco's ERA drops to 2.85 with an 11-8 record. This was her 16th complete game.
Carranco only allowed four hits.
Eight different Matadors scored a run.
The Bakersfield pitching staff failed to record a strikeout.

ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH CHARLOTTE MORGAN
"What we did is what we've been doing. We as a coaching staff went back and watched some different things. Our players are very receptive and have been putting in the proper work and making the adjustments that we need. I am really proud that we came out fighting. I'd like to see a little bit more consistency, but I am still proud of our team. Lauryn did a great job in the circle minimizing their offense and I thought we made a couple nice plays defensively as well."

UP NEXT
The Matadors will play a midweek game on Wednesday against Hawai'i, a game that was previously scheduled for March 14 but got postponed. The matchup will take place at noon.

CSUN Wins Rubber Match Against Bakersfield, 9-2

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Team Stats

Tiara Westbrook

Mikayla Carman

Jerzie Liana

Jadyn Nielsen

Players Mentioned

Mikayla Carman

Lauryn Carranco

Alexis Chavez

Kaylee Escutia

Raegan Jackson

Alexa Landeros

Jerzie Liana

Jadyn Nielsen

Vinessa Nunez

Tiara Westbrook

Players Mentioned

Mikayla Carman

Lauryn Carranco

Alexis Chavez

Kaylee Escutia

Raegan Jackson

Alexa Landeros

Jerzie Liana

Jadyn Nielsen

Vinessa Nunez

Tiara Westbrook