TURLOCK, Calif. ? The UC San Diego softball team lost its first game of championship play on Saturday during day three of the Mizuno Tournament of Champions, falling to Cal State Bakersfield by a 2-1 margin in the semifinals of the Silver Bracket. With the loss the Tritons conclude the tournament with a 4-2 record and see their overall mark move to 23-19 on the season.
Both teams managed only five hits apiece in the defensive struggle, but it was the Roadrunners that pushed across the two runs in the win. CSUB scored one run in the fourth and one more in the sixth while the Tritons managed to score only one run in the top of the seventh inning.
UCSD junior Melissa Ward gave up the two runs, only one of which was earned, on the five CSUB hits while walking one and striking out one. She fell to 17-7 on the season with the loss.
Sophomore Allison May picked up two of the Tritons' five hits in the game. Danielle Lukk, Brittni Carino and Sara Robinson accounted for the other three hits. Lukk plated Robinson with a hit in the top half of the seventh inning, representing UCSD's only run in the contest.
Kristyn Daniels picked up the win for the Roadrunners, improving to 14-7 on the season after allowing only one run, which was unearned, on five hits while walking one and striking out four.
Hillary Taylor and Danielle Lyman each went 1-for-3 with one RBI in the win for CSUB.
Head coach Patti Gerckens and the Tritons return to action next Friday and Saturday afternoons, hosting CCAA leading Humboldt State. Friday's doubleheader is slated for a 1 p.m. start while Saturday's double dip is scheduled for an 11 a.m. first pitch.
