The top-ranked UCLA Bruins combined to score 19 runs, scoring in eight
of the 12 innings played, en route to a doubleheader sweep of host No.
8 Cal State Fullerton by the scores of 11-2 in five innings and 8-2 in
the nightcap on Tuesday night at the Titan Softball Complex in front of
1,643 fans -- the seventh-best single-game total in school history.
The Titans fell to 19-12 overall on the year and have lost five of their
last six. UCLA improved to 28-2 overall on the season.
Game one marked the first time the Titans have been run-ruled since Feb.
7, 2001, when they lost to UCLA, 18-3, in the second game of a doubleheader
to christen the newly-remodeled Titan Softball Complex.
In game one, UCLA's Tairia Mims went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs
and Natasha Watley went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI as the Bruins
routed the Titans 11-2.
Bruins starter Keira Goerl (19-2) avenged an earlier loss to the Titans,
going the distance, allowing two runs (both unearned), three hits, two
walks and six strikeouts. Gina Oaks (12-5) suffered the loss, giving up
eight runs in three innings of work, walking two and striking out four.
UCLA got on the board in the first inning on an RBI double by Claire Sua
for a 1-0 lead and added four more in the second on two-run home runs
by Natasha Watley and Tairia Mims to extend the lead to 5-0.
The Bruins added a pair in the third on an error by the Titans shortstop
which allowed Emily Zaplatosch and Amanda Simpson to come around and score.
Cal State Fullerton finally got on the board in the bottom of the third,
scoring two runs on an error by the UCLA first baseman to cut the deficit
to 7-2.
However, the Bruins continued to pour it on in the fourth, as Mims led
off with a home run, and UCLA added three in the fifth on an error and
RBI hits by Benyi and Ramos for the final 11-2 score.
Game two saw much of the same as Zaplatosch drove in four runs on the
night and starter Michelle Turner (9-0) allowed two runs on five hits
in 4 2/3 innings as UCLA prevailed, 8-2.
Jodie Cox (7-7) went the distance in the loss, allowing eight runs (six
earned) on six hits, walking three and striking out four.
UCLA opened the game with three runs in the first on a bases loaded walk
to Zaplatosch and a two-run single by Auelua to jump out to the quick
3-0 lead.
The Bruins added four more in the second on an two-run double to centerfield
by Mims and a two-run triple to right to Zaplatosch to make it 7-0.
Cal State Fullerton broke onto the scoreboard in the second on an RBI
fielder's choice by Julie Watson, scoring Krista O'Hanian from third as
she slid around the tag of Zaplatosch to cut the deficit to 7-1.
The Titans added another in the fifth as Fullerton loaded the bases on
back-to-back singles by Saltarelli and Cox and a walk to Topping. Amy
LaRocque then drew a four-pitch walk to give the Titans their second run
of the night and cut the gap to 7-2.
UCLA capped the scoring in the seventh when pinch runner Alissa Eno scored
on a passed ball with one out to make the final score 8-2.
Cal State Fullerton returns to action on Saturday (March 29) at 1 p.m.
when the Titans host Utah State in a doubleheader to open Big West Conference
play. The third game of the series is scheduled for Sunday (March 30)
at 1 p.m.
