After scoring just one run in its previous three games, the No. 7 Cal
State Fullerton softball team's bats came alive to defeat No. 17 Oregon
State, 4-1, in the final game of the 2003 Worth Invitational on Sunday
afternoon at the Titan Softball Complex.
Earlier in the day, No. 20 Ohio State pulled off the upset of the Titans,
1-0.
Cal State Fullerton improved to 16-7 overall on the season and finished
second in the standings for the tournament with a 4-2 record. Washington
is the unofficial tournament champion with a 5-0 record.
Against the Beavers, Gina Oaks and Jodie Cox led off the first inning
with back-to-back singles to bring up Jenny Topping, who singled to centerfield
to drive in two and give the Titans the early 1-0 lead.
Fullerton made it 3-0 in the second inning when senior Krista O'Hanian
lined a shot over the left field fence for her second home run of her
Titan career.
Oregon State cut the lead to 3-1 in the fourth when catcher Shelly Prochaska
singled home Kelly Petersen, who singled to lead off the frame and stole
second.
The Titans got the run back in the fifth when Topping added another RBI
single up the middle to score Oaks, who knocked a one-out double two batters
earlier.
Cox (6-4) earned the victory, allowing one run while scattering four hits,
walking one and striking out nine. Amy Klever suffered the loss, allowing
three runs on four hits in just one inning of work.
Earlier in the day, Ohio State's Karisa Evans scored Rogeanna Hottinger
on an RBI fielder's choice in the third inning and pitcher Katie Chain
made it stand as the No. 20 Buckeyes upset No. 7 Cal State Fullerton,
1-0, in the first game of the final day of action at the 2003 Worth Invitational
at the Titan Softball Complex.
Chain (3-2) no-hit the Titans through 4 2/3 innings and scattered just
two hits on the morning while striking out 10 and walking none. Gina Oaks
(10-3) suffered her second consecutive loss, allowing a run on two hits,
walking two and striking out seven.
The Titans threatened in the sixth, as Julie Watson reached on an error,
but was erased trying to steal for the second out of the inning. Oaks
followed with a double to right centerfield with two outs, but Chain got
out of the inning by inducing Jodie Cox to fly out to deep left field
to end the inning.
Chain then set the Titans' 3-4-5 hitters down in order on three consecutive
strikeouts in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the victory.
Cal State Fullerton will have a week off to prepare for the 2003 Kia Klassic,
beginning on March 12 and running through the weekend at the Titan Softball
Complex.
