Cal State Fullerton scored an unearned run in the top of the 10th inning
and Titan starter Jodie Cox scattered just four hits in a complete-game
effort as No. 8 Fullerton emerged a 1-0 victor over Long Beach State in
a battle of Big West Conference unbeatens on Friday afternoon in Long
Beach, Calif.
The Titans improved to 29-12 overall and 10-0 in conference play, winning
their last 10 consecutive games and extending their winning streak to
seven games over the rival 49ers. Long Beach State fell to 18-15 overall,
6-1 in Big West action.
Both teams had numerous chances to score, combining to strand 20 runners
on base -- 13 for Cal State Fullerton -- for the game. The 49ers left
the bases loaded in the second inning and stranded a runner at third in
the fourth, while the Titans left them loaded in the sixth and the 10th
after scoring the winning run.
Cox (14-7) went the distance, scattering just four hits, walking one and
striking out 13 to win her 18th consecutive Big West Conference start
dating back to the 2001 season. She also extended her scoreless inning
streak to 29 consecutive innings in posting her third consecutive shutout.
Lindsay Knoff (11-7) was the hard-luck loser, allowing the unearned run
on nine hits, walking six and striking out two.
After Gina Oaks led off the 10th with a fly out to center, Cox drew a
walk, but was thrown out on Jenny Topping's fielder's choice. Amanda Hockett
then followed with a towering drive down the left field line that was
thought to be a home run, but was ruled foul. She followed with a single
to left to move Topping to second.
Senior Krista O'Hanian then followed with a sharp shot to short, which
was mishandled by the shortstop and skipped off the top of her glove into
centerfield. That allowed Topping time enough to come around and score
for the game's lone run.
After a leadoff single in the home half of the 10th by Riki Paredes, Cox
retired the side with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to end the
game.
Sophomore Heather Saltarelli led the Titans with a 3-for-5 effort at the
plate while junior Julie Watson added a pair of hits. Fullerton's 2-4
hitters were a combined 0-for-10. Paredes led the 49ers with a pair of
base hits on the day.
Both teams return to action on Saturday afternoon (April 19) to close
out the series with a doubleheader at the 49ers Softball Complex beginning
at 1 p.m. on the campus of Long Beach State.
