March 8, 2008
Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
Bakersfield, CA - The Saint Mary's softball team split their double-header against Cal State Bakersfield, improving to 5-10 on the year. The Gaels recorded a win in the first game of the day, 4-1, while falling to the Roadrunners 8-7 in their second meeting. Sandra Ruezga, Jenna Smith and Megan Galloway each recorded homeruns against CS Bakersfield, while the Gaels accumulated 11 runs, 19 hits, 11 RBI, three homeruns and two doubles on the day.
The Gaels started off strong against the Roadrunners in the first game, holding CS Bakersfield scoreless throughout the first five innings. Saint Mary's was the first to light up the scoreboard, as Bronwyn Russell advanced home off a Megan Galloway single to the pitcher. Saint Mary's would score again in the third inning, as Rueza posted her first homerun of the season to score two runs and put the Gaels up 3-0. Saint Mary's fourth and final run of the game was scored in the top of the seventh, as Smith knocked in a single to left center, allowing Molly Bergeson to cross home.
The stellar pitching of freshman Maryann Cronin held the Roadrunner bats in check, allowing only three hits and one run in seven innings of action. Cronin earned her second win of the season, posting a 2-2 record thus far.
Both teams' offenses exploded in the second contest, as Saint Mary's tabbed seven runs and nine hits, while CS Bakersfield totaled eight runs and 12 hits. Gael pitching was unable to disrupt the Roadrunners' momentum, as their opponent scored at least one run in all but the first inning.
During the fifth inning it seemed that the Gaels had found their rhythm, tabbing four runs on a Russell single and Galloway homerun. But the most damaging inning of the game was still to come, as CS Bakersfield totaled four runs to take an 8-5 lead at the bottom of the sixth.
Smith attempted to rally her team at the top of the seventh with her sixth homerun of the season, sending one over the fence down the leftfield line. Senior Chelsea Loftis followed Smith's lead with a double to left field, bringing in Ruezga on the play, but with two consecutive outs to follow, the Gaels would fall short, 8-7.
The Gaels will finish the series against the Roadrunners on Sunday, March 9 at 12:00 pm.
