Cal State Fullerton remained undefeated in Big West Conference play on
Saturday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader from league rival Pacific
by the scores of 3-0 in eight innings and 3-2 in the nightcap at the Titan
Softball Complex in Fullerton, Calif.
The Titans improved to 27-12 overall and 8-0 in conference play, winning
their last eight consecutive games. The Tigers fell to 25-17 overall and
3-5 in the Big West.
In game one, Jenny Topping sent a 1-1 pitch over the leftfield fence with
two on in the bottom of the eighth inning to send the Titans to a 3-0
victory over the Tigers.
It was Fullerton's seventh victory this season in their last at-bats and
the second time that Topping has ended a game with a home run, winning
the Titans' opener at the 2003 Kia Klassic with a home run in the bottom
of the seventh against Texas.
Jodie Cox (12-7) and Natalie King (10-7) were locked in a pitcher's duel
for the first seven innings, allowing just five hits through the first
seven-and-a-half innings.
After Cox and the Titans stranded a pair in Pacific's half of the eight,
Fullerton went for the kill in its half of the frame. Sophomore Heather
Saltarelli led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on an
infield single by Gina Oaks.
After a wild pitch moved both runners to third, Cox reached on fielder's
choice and Saltarelli was erased at third for the first out.
However, that brought up Topping who poked the third pitch from King over
the leftfield fence to win the game.
Cox earned the win after allowing just two hits on the afternoon to Brandy
Thurman and Crystal Presson. She walked six, but helped herself by striking
out 14 Tigers -- the second-highest total in her career.
King suffered the loss, allowing three runs on five hits, walking five
and striking out four in 7 1/3 innings.
In game two, RBI hits by Oaks and Topping proved to be the difference
as the Titans held off a late rally by the Tigers en route to the 3-2
victory.
Fullerton got on the board first in the opening inning when, with runners
at second and third after a double steal, Pacific starter Jennifer Dacre
was called for an illegal pitch, scoring Oaks for the 1-0 advantage.
The Titans tacked on two more in the fifth when Oaks drove home Saltarelli
with an RBI single, and Topping scored Oaks from first with an RBI double
to right centerfield for the 3-0 lead.
Pacific would not go quietly in the sixth as Brittany Hyams had a one-out
single and advanced to third on Barbara Moody's double to left. After
a strikeout for the second out of the inning, catcher Ashlie D'Errico
doubled to left center, scoring both to cut the deficit to 3-2.
The Tigers continued to threaten when Brandy Thurman was hit by a pitch,
but Oaks got Estee Okumura to strikeout swinging to end the inning.
Fullerton had a chance to score more in the sixth, putting runners on
with back-to-back one-out singles, but stranded both when Dacre got Jennifer
Holt and Saltarelli to ground out to end the inning.
Oaks then shut the door in the seventh getting a pair of ground balls
and a strikeout to end the game.
Oaks (15-5) went the distance, giving up six hits and two runs while walking
one and striking out eight. Dacre (10-8) suffered the loss, allowing three
runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out three.
The two teams meet again on Sunday afternoon (April 13) in the third game
of the series which will begin at 12 p.m. at the Titan Softball Complex
in a game originally scheduled for 1 p.m.
