The No. 17 Cal State Fullerton softball team opened the 2002 Worth Invitational
with a bang on Friday night at the Titan Softball Complex, defeating Ohio
State and San Jose State in day one action in Fullerton.
Cal State Fullerton improved to 11-9 overall on the season and have won
three of their last four contests. The Titans stand tied atop the standings
with Minnesota through day one with a perfect 2-0 record.
In game one, the Titans banged out 12 hits as a pair of Fullerton players
had three hits on the night as Cal State Fullerton rolled to a, 10-2,
victory over Ohio State in six innings.
The Titans got on the board early and often against the Buckeyes, scoring
a run in the first on an RBI single by senior Monica Lucatero, and added
three more runs in the third on a two-run home run by junior Jodie Cox
and a sacrifice fly by Amy LaRocque for a 4-0 advantage.
Fullerton went up 7-0 in the fourth on a solo shot to left field by Gina
Oaks and a two-run home run by Lucatero. The Titans added three in the
sixth on an RBI fielder's choice and a two-run double by Amanda Hockett
to make it 10-0.
Ohio State would score its two runs in the sixth, on an RBI single by
catcher Stacy Roth and an RBI groundout by Chrissy Fowler with one out.
Cox would then set down the side on two ground balls to end the game.
Cox (4-4) was solid, allowing two runs (both unearned) on seven hits,
one walk and three strikeouts. Katie Chain (3-1) took the loss for Ohio
State, Allowing four runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out
one.
In game two, the Titans earned another mercy rule victory, this one a
10-0 shutout of San Jose State in the night cap.
Junior Jenny Topping was 3-for-3 on the night with an RBI while LaRocque
and Julie Watson were both 2-for-3. Every Titan starter had at least one
hit against the Spartan pitchers.
Cal State Fullerton put up three runs in the second on a wild pitch, Topping's
RBI single, and Kristy Halagarda scoring on a steal attempt by Shawna
Robinson.
The Titans added two more in the third on an RBI triple by Halagarda and
a defensive miscue by the Spartans. Fullerton put the exclamation point
on the matter with a five-run fourth which included RBI hits by LaRocque,
Caylin Hornish, Watson, Lucatero and Mossadeghi.
Cal State Fullerton continues play on Saturday afternoon as the Titans
take on Minnesota at 2 p.m. and No. 6 California at 4 p.m.
