Cal State Fullerton scored four in the first and broke things open with
a seven-run fourth inning to propel the Titans to an upset of No. 6 Washington,
11-2, in five innings on Friday night at the Titan Softball Complex.
The Titans, who have now won three in a row and four of their last five
all against ranked teams, improved to 11-19 overall on the season. The
Huskies, who earlier defeated Northwestern, 7-6, in eight innings, fell
to 24-7 overall.
Washington stuck first in this wild contest as Dena Tyson hit a flare
that landed just fair down the right field line, scoring Aimee Minor for
the 1-0 lead. Candice Baker held the Huskies to just one run in the frame
as her throw back home caught Kristen Rivera trying to score from second
on the play to end the inning.
However, the Titans answered back with a four spot in the bottom of the
inning with a little help from the Huskies' defense. Fullerton loaded
the bases with one out thanks to a infield single by Julie Watson and
a pair of walks to bring Baker to the plate.
Baker then sent the full-count offering from Boek back up the middle that
was misplayed by the Washington centerfielder and allowed to roll all
the way to the fence, clearing the bases and also allowing Baker to come
all the way around to score for the 4-1 Fullerton advantage.
Cal State Fullerton then broke it wide open with a seven-run fourth inning
after shortstop Amanda Oleson came in to pitch for the depleted Huskies
pitching staff.
Boek (15-4), who started the first game against the Wildcats, lasted only
1/3 of an inning in the start against the Titans, and Tia Bollinger, who
has been sidelined for three weeks due to a shoulder injury leading up
to last week's Kia Klassic, were the first two Washington hurlers.
Lindsey Bashor (sixth of the year to centerfield) and Tiffany Hoff (third
of the year to leftfield) hit back-to-back home runs in the inning to
close out a stretch of six-consecutive run-scoring hits by the Titans,
which also included a run-scoring double by pitcher Brooke Weekley.
There was no quit in the Huskies, though, loading the bases in the fifth
thanks to three-straight singles to right field with no outs. After a
strikeout, Rivera singled through the right side, driving home Courtney
Jefferies for the final score of the game.
Weekley then induced Tyson to line into a double play to end the game.
Weekley (7-8) allowed an unearned run on six hits, walking four and striking
out one in the five-inning win. Eight of the nine Titans' starters had
hits, including two hits each from Watson and Jennifer Holt.
Cal State Fullerton has the weekend off to prepare for a single game against
the No. 2 UCLA Bruins on Tuesday (Mar. 30) at 1 p.m. at Easton Stadium.
