The Cal State Bakersfield softball team were finally back in action at home as they played in their first home game since May of 2019. The Roadrunners hosted an old rival, The Pacific University Tigers in their home opener.  

In the all-time series, the Tigers own a 15-4 record against the Runners. The Roadrunners are coming into the contest with a 0-5 record in a Vegas tournament. The Roadrunners faced a tough test in UNLV, BYU, and Hawaii University. 

The Roadrunners leadoff hitter Savanna Montoya tripled on a drive over center fielders head boosting the offense in the first inning. Senior shortstop Cydney Curran singled Montoya in with a base hit up the middle the offense came out aggressive making the score 2- 0 after the first Inning.  

Freshman starting pitcher Reina Castillo was effective and pounded the strike zone that really set the tone for the Roadrunners defense. Castillo cruised her way through Oakland’s offense throughout the first couple of innings. With the help of some solid defensive fielding between shortstop Duran and second baseman Samantha Martinez.  

In the fifth inning the score was 3-1 Roadrunners the Tigers threatened to score in the fifth inning. The visitors had runners on first and third with two outs with the potential go ahead run at the plate. Castillo fielded a sharp come back ground ball in front of the runner to get the third out, getting herself out of a jam.  

Into the top of the seventh inning, The Roadrunners held on to their 3-1 lead.  

Freshman starting pitcher Reina Castillo exited the game in the seventh inning leaving two runners on base, after a solid home performance. She only gave up two earned runs in 6 complete innings. Fellow Freshman pitcher Kaycie Kennedy came into the game to close out the game. 

The Tigers later then tied the game up with a sacrifice fly out to centerfield. With one out in the inning and two runners on base the Roadrunners left fielder Kaia Johnson made a spectacular shoestring catch and then threw out the runner at second base for the double play. 

Montoya continued to see the ball well as she led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single over the Tigers shortstops head. A textbook sacrifice bunt was perfectly placed down by senior Curran advancing Montoya into scoring position at second base. With two outs, yet another freshman Shaylene Fuimaono singled on a solid up the middle scoring the winning run.