Oklahoma State
Mustangs Fall Twice to Open Kajikawa Classic
2/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TEMPE, Ariz. – Looking to stun a nationally-ranked opponent on opening day for the third time in five seasons, the Cal Poly softball program instead dropped a 6-5, eight-inning decision against host and No. 13 Arizona State to close Friday action at the Kajikawa Classic at Farrington Stadium. The Mustangs also fell during the tournament opener on Friday afternoon versus No. 23 Oklahoma State, 10-2, in six innings.
With the international tiebreaker rule in effect during the top of the eighth inning of Friday's nightcap, Arizona State second baseman Sam Parlich singled home leftfielder Alix Johnson with one out to provide the hosts the winning run. Johnson, who began the inning on second base, previously advanced to third on a wild pitch by Mustang senior lefthander Anna Cahn (0-2).
Cal Poly began its bottom half of the eighth with sophomore Whitley Gerhart running in place of Cahn at second, but after freshman designated player Mariah Cochiolo's sacrifice bunt pushed Gerhart deeper into scoring position, Sun Devils pitcher Dallas Escobedo induced a groundout from right fielder Nora Sobczak before striking out senior catcher Stephanie Correia to end the game.
Arizona State led, 5-0, before Cal Poly began its rally during the bottom half of the sixth. Freshman shortstop Kim Westlund and junior third baseman Nicole Lund opened the inning with successive singles before advancing into scoring position following a Hilary Bach wild pitch. Cahn then delivered a three-run homer to right field.
During the bottom half of the seventh, Westlund singled with two outs before Lund (above) deposited her second collegiate homer – indeed, her second homer in as many seasons against the nationally-ranked Sun Devils – over the center field wall to send the matchup in extra innings.
Sobczak also finished with two hits for Cal Poly versus Arizona State.
During Friday's season opener against Oklahoma State, the Cowgirls defeated Cal Poly for the first time in program history after notching seven runs off of Cahn during the initial three innings.
Cal Poly, outhit, 13-5, scored its runs in the fourth after Westlund drew a bases-loaded walk to plate freshman third baseman Madison Vogelsang and during the sixth, when Lund doubled down the right field line to score Westlund.
Cal Poly received two hits apiece from Lund and Sobczak versus Oklahoma State.
The Mustangs continue Kajikawa Classic action on Saturday versus Bradley at 9:30 a.m. and Indiana at 12 noon.
