University of Maine
CSU Bakersfield
Black Bears Fall in Opener of Northridge Classic
3/9/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -- The University of Maine softball squad fell to Cal State Bakersfield in the opening game of the Northridge Classic by a score of 14-0 on Friday afternoon. The loss slips Maine back to 4-13 on the year while the Roadrunners improve to 5-12. Jennifer Eberhardt (Glendale, Ariz.) led the Black Bears as she went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk.
The Roadrunners took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second as Myshayla Fryer singled, stole second and scored on a RBI double from Emily Bliss.
CSU-Bakersfield added a run in the top of the third when Karissa Veiga's fly out to left field was deep enough to allow Bree Sandoval to tag and score from third.
Maine looked to get something started in the bottom of the third with one out when Eberhardt ripped an 0-1 pitch down the left field line for a double. However, Roadrunner reliever Taylor DeSilva retired the next two Black Bear batters, stranding Eberhardt at second.
Bakersfield tacked on four runs in the top of the fourth. Bliss began the rally when her single plated Ashley Nahale from second. Sandoval's double into left center plated Bliss before Laura King grounded out to Maine starter Ashley Kelley (Hermon, Maine). However, Karlee Rodgers scored for the Roadrunners on the ground out. Bakersfield plated its sixth run of the afternoon when Adrianna Cardoza single to left field, scoring Sandoval.
The Roadrunners opened things up with an eight run top of the fifth. The rally started when Bliss ripped a double down the right field line, scoring Sara Smith. Two batters later, Sandoval's single into left field scored Fryer and Bliss. After a Maine pitching change, Cardoza drove in a pair with single into the right center gap before Veiga's single plated Laura King. Bakersfield's final runs of the day scored after Fryer's single down the right field line plated both Veiga and Cardoza.
The Black Bears were unable to score in the home half of the fifth, dropping the contest 14-0 in five innings.
Kelley picks up the loss for Maine as the senior went 3.2 innings while giving up six runs on eight hits along with a walk and a pair of strikeouts.
Maine returns to action as they finish up today's doubleheader with a 2:30 EST first pitch against the host Cal State Northridge Matadors.
-U-M-
