Utah State used a pair of seventh-inning rallies to sweep a doubleheader
from visiting Cal State Fullerton on Saturday afternoon by the scores
of 4-3 and 6-5 at Johnson Field in Logan, Utah.
The Titans fell to 11-22 overall and 0-2 in Big West Conference play.
Utah State improved to 6-22, 2-0.
The Aggies snapped a 13-game losing streak to the Titans with the game
one victory and took the series from Fullerton for the first time since
winning two of three in 1999. Fullerton started 0-2 in conference for
the first time since 1998.
In game one, an RBI double by Haven Vance broke a 3-3 tie, scoring Amanda
Carlson with the winning run in a 4-3 Aggies triumph.
Vance finished 2-for-4 and drove in three of Utah State's four runs, adding
a two-run single in the fifth to help stake the Aggies to the early 3-0
lead.
Fullerton answered back with three runs of its own in the sixth on RBI
doubles by Tiffany Hoff and Jenna Wheeler as well as an error to tie the
score.
Brooke Weekley (7-9) suffered the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits.
Jill Bruins (1-2) earned her first win of the year, allowing just a hit
and striking out one in an inning of work.
Hoff, Wheeler, and Julie Watson each had two hits for the Titans, who
outhit the Aggies, 9-7. Michell Vlahos added a pair of hits for Utah State.
In game two, Utah State rallied from a run down in the bottom of the seventh,
scoring the winning run on a bases-loaded RBI single to center by Candice
Hatch to complete the sweep.
The Titans took the early advantage this time, scoring on an RBI single
by Tiffany Hoff for the 1-0 lead.
The Aggies answered back with two in the third on a double by Vance and
a wild pitch for the 2-1 advantage.
Fullerton regained the lead with two in the fourth, scoring on an error
and a sacrifice fly by Wheeler, but Utah State tied things up again in
its half of the inning, on an RBI double by Carlson.
An RBI single by Casey Smith gave the Aggies the lead back at 4-3 in the
fifth, but Candice Baker helped her own cause in the sixth, smacking a
two-run home run to left for the 5-4 Titan advantage.
That would stand until the seventh as Sara Fleming led off with a walk,
was pinch ran for, and was followed by Quela Henderson, who doubled to
right centerfield with no outs.
After a fielder's choice loaded the bases, Kelly Leos reached on an error
to drive home the tying run and was followed by Hatch's game-winning single.
Candice Baker (4-13) suffered the loss, allowing four earned on 10 hits,
walking five and striking out four. Bruins (2-2) earned her second win
of the day in relief, walking just one in 1 2/3 innings of work.
Hoff went 2-for-3 for the Titans while Baker was 2-for-4. Monica Tantlinger
had the only other Fullerton hit. Henderson was 3-for-4 for the Aggies.
The Titans look to salvage a win in the series on Sunday afternoon at
11 a.m. (PDT) as they take on the Aggies in the third and final game of
the series.
