Cal State Fullerton sophomore Jody Campbell's RBI single in the sixth
plated senior Amanda Hockett with the winning run as the No. 10 Titans
eked out a 4-3 victory over Texas Tech in the final game of the 2003 Desert
Softball Classic hosted by UNLV on Sunday morning.
Fullerton improved to 10-4 overall on the season and 4-1 in tournament
play. Texas Tech finished 6-11 overall and 1-4 in tournament play. Final
standings will be available at a later date as soon as play is completed.
Senior Gina Oaks (7-1) earned her third consecutive victory, allowing
three runs on five hits, walking one and striking out eight. She was 3-0
with a 1.28 ERA on the weekend, scattering eight hits and striking out
16.
The Titans spotted the Red Raiders three runs in the second and third
innings. Texas Tech got on the board first in the second on a two-run
single by Andrea Joachims that plated Arlene Newton (who walked) and Lisa
Lawler (who followed Newton with a double).
Texas Tech added another in the third as Kristi Robles sent the first
pitch from Oaks over the centerfield fence for a 3-0 advantage.
The Titans answered back in the fifth as Jennifer Holt reached on a fielders
choice and went to third on a double by senior Krista O'Hanian. After
a groundout failed to advance any runners, Oaks drew a walk to load the
bases and bring Jodie Cox to the plate.
Cox then sent a 2-1 pitch to right field, which was misplayed and rolled
to the fence. Cox went all the way to third as the bases were cleared
to tie the game at 3-3.
After Texas Tech went quietly in the fifth, Hockett led off with a single
up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Amy LaRocque. That
brought up Campbell, who singled on a full count off losing pitcher Erin
Crawford (2-3) back up the middle, scoring Hockett from second base and
giving the Titans a 4-3 lead.
The Red Raiders stranded the tying run on second base in their half of
the sixth and were set down in order in the seventh to clinch the game.
O'Hanian led the Titans at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double and
a run scored, while Hockett and Campbell added two hits apiece. Jenny
Topping, who had entered the game with a 15-game hitting streak, went
0-for-4.
Cal State Fullerton continues play next weekend at the NFCA Leadoff Classic,
facing Louisiana State and Oklahoma on Friday (Feb. 21) and Villanova
on Saturday (Feb. 22) before championship bracket play begins.
