Utah State's Jessica Garnett doubled home the go-ahead runs in the bottom
of the fourth and the Aggies withheld a pair of comeback attempts by Cal
State Fullerton in the final three innings to complete the three-game
sweep with a 5-4 victory on Sunday afternoon in Logan, Utah.
The Titans fell to 11-23 overall, 0-3 in the Big West Conference. Fullerton
was swept by the Aggies for the first time since Utah State joined the
Big West Conference and were swept in a conference opening series for
the first time since 1998. Utah State improved to 7-22, 3-0.
The Aggies broke the scoreless tie with a pair of runs in the second on
an RBI double by Amanda Carlson and a sacrifice fly by Haven Vance. The
Titans got a run back in the third on an error, scoring pinch runner Melissa
Hughes.
Fullerton took the lead with a pair of runs in the fourth on an RBI double
by Candice Baker and an RBI single by Jenna Wheeler for the 3-2 advantage.
However, the Aggies fought right back, taking advantage of a fielding
error to load the bases with two outs against Titans' starter Brooke Weekley
(7-10). Michell Vlahos then drew a walk to drive in the tying run and
was followed by Garnett's double to left centerfield to drive home a pair.
The Titans loaded the bases in the fifth with one out, but failed to score,
and got a run back in the sixth on an RBI single by Julie Watson to cut
the gap to 5-4. However, with runners on second and third with two outs,
Utah State's Leslie Higley (5-9) got pinch hitter Porsha Draper to pop
out and end the threat.
The Titans had one more chance in the seventh, getting a one-out double
from Tiffany Hoff, but pinch runner Crystal Medina was stranded at third
after a pop out, a wild pitch, and a ground out to end the game.
Weekley allowed two earned on five hits while striking out a career-high
seven batters in the complete game loss. Higley earned the win despite
allowing 12 hits. Reliever Jill Bruins, who earned the win in each of
the first two games of the series, earned her first save of the year,
throwing an inning, allowing a hit and striking out one.
Watson (3-for-4) and Jody Campbell (3-for-3) led the Titans' hit attack
while Hoff and Baker each added a pair of hits. Garnett was 2-for-3 for
the Aggies.
Cal State Fullerton returns to action on Friday night (April 9) as the
Titans host a doubleheader against Cal State Northridge beginning at 5
p.m. The series finale with the Matadors will be on Saturday (April 10)
at Noon.
