Another big inning from the Cal State Fullerton offense lifted the No.
8 Titan softball team to a 5-1 victory over Utah State on Sunday afternoon,
completing a three-game Big West Conference opening weekend sweep at the
Titan Softball Complex.
Cal State Fullerton improved to 22-12 overall, 3-0 in the Big West. The
Titans have swept the season series from the Aggies in each of the last
four seasons and extended their winning streak in the series to 13 consecutive
games. Utah State fell to 5-20 overall, 0-3 in league play.
Cox (9-7) earned the victory, surrendering just a run in the first inning
and two hits on the day in five innings of work. She walked three and
struck out one. Freshman Roxy Moran finished the game, walking one and
striking out one in two innings of hitless relief.
Carli Baumgartner (1-11) suffered the loss for Utah State, allowing five
runs on six hits, walking two and striking out one.
Utah State struck first, scoring for the first time in the last three
games with the Titans, as Candice Hatch singled to center, scoring Stephanie
Vasarhely from second base for the 1-0 lead.
Cal State Fullerton responded in the fourth as the first five batters
in the inning reached base and the Titans sent all nine batters to the
plate. Jenny Topping led off the inning with a single through the left
side and the Titans loaded the bases on back-to-back walks to Amanda Hockett
and Amy LaRocque.
They were followed by Krista O'Hanian, who singled past the outstretched
arm of the Aggies first baseman scoring pinchrunner Crystal Medina and
Hockett for the 2-1 lead. Junior Jennifer Holt followed with a sharp single
of her own through the left side to score LaRocque from third and extend
the Titans' lead to 3-1.
Heather Saltarelli kept the offense moving with one out, scoring O'Hanian
from third with a run-scoring ground out for the 4-1 advantage. Gina Oaks
capped the scoring with a single back up the middle to score Holt from
third, extending the lead to 5-1.
Cal State Fullerton returns to action on Saturday (April 5) when the Titans
open a three-game Big West Conference series with a doubleheader at Cal
State Northridge beginning at Noon.
