Bakersfield, Calif. - In a weekend break from tournament play, the Pacific Softball team split a doubleheader at CSU Bakersfield, dropping the first game 2-0 before coming back in the second and dispatching the Roadrunners in six innings with an 8-0 victory. Pacific sits at 4-9 on the season while Bakersfield is now 4-8 on the 2015 campaign.

Game One

On a foggy early afternoon at the Roadrunner Softball Complex, Pacific sent Marissa Young (1-3) to the circle while Bakersfield countered with Kelsie Monroe (3-5). The game was largely a pitcher's duel, but Bakersfield was able to capitalize one some infield singles in the third inning.

For the Tigers, junior Sara Anderson led off the contest with a single down the left field line, and advanced into scoring position on an error. However, Anderson was called out at home on a fielder's choice and the Tigers could not push a run across in the opening frame.

Young shut down the Roadrunners in the bottom of the first despite a leadoff single and both pitchers swapped scoreless frames in the second. In the top of the third, freshman Rachel Sellers led off the inning with a single but Pacific stranded a runner for the third straight inning.

In the bottom of the frame, Amber Mills and Madison Bundy reached on back-to-back infield singles and Selena Gonzalez moved the pair into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. The next Bakersfield hitter Alexandrea Simmons signaled up the middle, scoring the pair and giving CSUB a 2-0 lead.

Each pitcher had scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth, as Monroe worked quickly while Young worked around a pair of errors. In the top of the sixth, Anderson recorded a leadoff hit but was stranded while Young pitched a perfect bottom of the inning.

Pacific had perhaps its best scoring opportunity in the top of the seventh as freshman Sydney Lahners led off the inning with a long single to center field and sophomore Cassidy Gustafson walked. A sacrifice bunt by Melanie Habib moved both runners into scoring position but the Tigers were unable to capitalize, standing the pair and falling 2-0 in the first game of the day.

Game Two

Pacific sent Cassidy Gustafson (1-0) to the circle in the back end of the doubleheader while CSU Bakersfield's Amber Mills (0-2) got the call for the Roadrunners.

The Tigers capitalized against Mills early in the contest, scoring in both of the first two innings. After Mills issued a walk to Anderson to begin the game, freshman Molly Bourne blasted a double to right center, plating a run for a 1-0 Pacific advantage before an out was recorded. With one out, Lahners doubled into the gap, scoring Bourne to push the lead to 2-0 in favor of the Orange and Black.

Gustafson, getting the call for her first start of the season, recorded two strikeouts in the bottom of the inning and the Tigers were able to get back to work on offense. With one out, Sellers singled through the left side of the infield. CSUB went to a new pitcher, summoning Sydney Raeber, who moved from right field to the circle. Raeber hit Anderson with a pitch and with two out, junior Nicole Zapotoczny stepped up to the plate and delivered a long double to right-center field, clearing the bases and putting Pacific ahead 5-0.

Gustafson retired the Roadrunners in order in the second and third innings before Pacific tacked on two more runs in the top of the fourth. Sellers and freshman Melina Huey were hit by pitches before Bourne doubled to center field, scoring a pair to break the game wide open with a 7-0 scoreline.

Gustafson continued to work quickly, rolling through the Bakersfield order in the fourth and fifth.

In the top of the sixth inning, Huey recorded her first career hit, beating out a ground ball to shortstop. Bourne singled and Lahners was intentionally walked, loading the bases for pinch hitter junior Taylor Brink, who spelled Gustafson. Brink took a walk from new pitcher Lyndsay Klimenko, giving the visitors an 8-0 advantage, giving Gustafson a chance to end the game early.

Despite a one out single, Gustafson finished out the compete game shutout, the first of her career. The sophomore allowed just three hits and struck out four batters in the effort. Bourne finished the contest 3-4 with 3 RBI while Zapotoczny chipped in 3 RBI of her own. Lahners and Brink each recorded an RBI in the victory.

Pacific will return to action on Tuesday with a midweek matinee at Sacramento State. The contest is slated for a 2:00 pm first pitch.

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