Cal Poly's Emily Hively pitched a three-hit shutout in the opener and
Erin Myers' RBI single with two out in the eighth gave Cal Poly a doubleheader
sweep of visiting Cal State Fullerton on Saturday afternoon by the scores
of 6-0 and 3-2 in eight innings at Bob Janssen Field in San Luis Obispo,
Calif.
Cal State Fullerton fell to 17-31 overall, 6-11 in the Big West. Cal Poly
improved to 19-27, 7-10 in league play.
The loss in game one snapped a 12-game winning streak over Cal Poly as
the Mustangs posted their first win in the series since 1999. With the
doubleheader sweep, the Mustangs won back-to-back games in the series
for the first time since taking a doubleheader from the Titans in 1998,
the end of six consecutive wins for the Mustangs.
In game one, Cal Poly sent 10 batters to the plate in the decisive second
inning and scored five runs in the frame, highlighted by Roni Sparrey's
second home run of the year, sending the Mustangs to the 6-0 win.
The loss for the Titans was the worst to Cal Poly in the history of the
series, besting a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Mustangs in 1997.
Jackie Gehrke-Jones put the Mustangs on the board with a one-out RBI single
down the left field line for the 1-0 lead. Lisa Modglin made it 2-0 when
she reached on a fielder's choice and Chelsy Stoufer beat Porsha Draper's
throw home.
Sparrey then connected for her three-run home run to left with a pair
of runners on to give Cal Poly the insurmountable 5-0 advantage.
AmyJo Nazarenus added another run for the Mustangs in the third when her
RBI single through the right side plated pinch-runner Jen Graver for the
6-0 lead.
Cal State Fullerton mustered only three hits off Cal Poly starter Emily
Hively (8-14), stranding runners at third base in both the third and fourth
innings. Hively tossed her third shutout of the season, walking one and
striking out five in the victory.
The Titans' best threat came in the sixth when Lindsey Bashor reached
on a two-out error and Candice Baker walked to put runners on first and
second. However, Hively got Jenna Wheeler to pop out and end the threat.
Baker had a double in the fourth and Jennifer Holt and Julie Watson each
added base hits on the day for the Titans.
Weekley (13-16) allowed four earned on eight hits, walking six and striking
out five in the loss.
In game two, Erin Myers' RBI single scored pinch-runner Kelly Comstock
from second base with two outs in the eighth to lift Cal Poly to a 3-2
victory over Cal State Fullerton.
Cal State Fullerton has lost 10 games this season with opposing teams
rallying in their final at-bat.
Cal Poly jumped out to the early lead thanks
to a pair of Fullerton errors and a two-run single to left by Chelsea
Green with the bases loaded and two outs for the 2-0 lead.
The Titans finally broke onto the scoreboard in the fifth inning when
Jenna Wheeler's two-out base hit down the left field line scored Julie
Watson from second base, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Watson then did her part in the clutch in the sixth as Porsha Draper led
off the inning with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice, stole third,
and scored when Watson singled through the right side with two outs to
tie the score at 2-2.
Candice Baker (4-15) pitched well in only her second start since coming
back from injury, allowing one earned run on seven hits and striking out
four. Hively (9-14), who entered the game in relief in the sixth inning,
earned her second win of the day, allowed just three hits and struck out
one.
Cal State Fullerton stranded 10 runners on base for the game. Julie Watson
went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI for the Titans while Jenna Wheeler
added a pair of hits and an RBI.
The two teams conclude their three-game series
on Sunday afternoon (May 9) at Bob Janssen Field. First-pitch is scheduled
for noon.
