For the second consecutive night, Cal State Fullerton staged a comeback
in its final at-bats as junior Jennifer Holt and senior Jodie Cox each
had RBI hits in the top of the seventh to lead the No. 9 Titans to a 3-1
victory over Hawaii in day two action at the 2003 Kia Klassic at the Titan
Softball Complex.
Fullerton improved to 18-7 overall and 2-0 in pool play. Hawaii fell to
14-8 overall and lost its first pool play game of the tournament.
With the score tied at one, senior Krista O'Hanian led off the seventh
with a double to straightaway centerfield on the second pitch from Hawaii
starter Melissa Coogan (11-3). Holt then followed with a double of her
own to left field to score O'Hanian and snap the tie.
Three batters later, Cox lined a shot back up the middle to score Holt
from third to make it 3-1 and the Titans made it stand.
Senior Gina Oaks (11-3) struck out five of the last six batters she faced,
and nine overall on the night, to snap a two-game losing streak. Oaks
allowed an unearned run on five hits and walked just two in the complete
game effort.
Coogan surrendered three runs on nine hits, walked two and struck out
seven in the loss.
Hawaii struck first in the opening frame, putting runners on first and
second with one away. Stacey Porter then hit a sharp ground ball to second
base for the second out, but the throw to second to try and turn two hit
the runner and went into centerfield, allowing Tracie Uchima to come home
for a 1-0 lead.
The Titans drew even in the fifth as Julie Watson bounced a ball in the
air that took its time to come down and pinch runner Crystal Medina scampered
home from third base to knot the game at 1-1.
The Rainbow Wahine threatened in the sixth, putting runners on first and
second with no outs, but Oaks ended the threat, striking out the next
three batters and set up the Titans' last-inning heroics.
Cal State Fullerton concludes pool play tomorrow at approximately 3 p.m.
as the Titans take on No. 5 Washington on the main field at the Titan
Softball Complex. The game can be heard live over the Internet on www.TitanSports.org.
Championship brackets will be determined following the 3 p.m. games and
bracket play is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on both fields.
