Cal Poly Halves Saturday Doubleheader at Cal State Northridge

Saturday, April 30

Northridge, CA

12 pm

8-31, 0

Cal State Northridge

16-29, 0

Cal Poly

Cal State Northridge

Cal Poly Halves Saturday Doubleheader at Cal State Northridge

4/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – Senior catcher Stephanie Correia's two-out, two-run single during the top of the seventh inning helped deliver the Cal Poly softball program a 4-2 victory versus Cal State Northridge during the opening game of a Saturday afternoon doubleheader at Matador Diamond. Despite Correia's third home run of the season during the nightcap, however, the Mustangs dropped game No. 2, 4-1.

Sophomore righthander Rebecca Patton (6-17) struck out seven Matadors against just two walks during Saturday's opener for Cal Poly (8-32, 4-10), which furthered its winning streak at Cal State Northridge to four-successive triumphs with Saturday's opening-game victory. The Mustangs look for their sixth series victory versus Cal State Northridge (17-29, 5-9) during the past seven seasons when the two programs complete the three-game series on Sunday, May 1 at 12 noon.

During Saturday's opener, Cal Poly was held without a hit until freshman second baseman Ashley Romano singled to lead off the third. A fielder's choice from Mustang freshman shortstop Kim Westlund eventually cut down Romano at second base, but Patton followed with a two-out single through the right side of the infield to provide Cal Poly a 1-0 advantage.

Patton herself kept the Matadors without a hit until the bottom of the third and the Mustangs kept Cal State Northridge off the scoreboard with Westlund throwing out shortstop Karla Chaparro at home plate to end the inning. Cal State Northridge eventually deadlocked the scoreline during the fourth with first baseman Madeline Sale singling to right center to score pinch runner Leann Lopez.

The Mustangs reaffirmed their lead just a half-inning later as Westlund tripled down the right field line and under the glove of Samantha Sloniker to plate Ashley Romano. The Matadors, however, knotted the scoreline once again during the bottom of the fifth. With two outs and center fielder Kristen Mihm running at second base, Correia dropped a potential inning-ending foulout behind home plate. Cal State Northridge second baseman Jaci Carlsen took advantage of the error by singling into left field to score Mihm and tie the matchup, 2-2.

Cal Poly advanced a pair of baserunners into scoring position during the sixth versus Cal State Northridge starting righthander Mia Pagano (1-3), but needed until the seventh to push across the decisive runs. Patton and Lund opened the onslaught with successive two-out singles before senior designed player Anna Cahn drew a full-count walk. After fouling off three-consecutive pitches, Correia (above) then lined her two-run base hit into center field to score Patton and Lund.

Cal State Northridge had the opportunity to reply during the bottom of the seventh after Mihm and left fielder Jennifer Mosier opened the inning with consecutive singles. Patton, however, struck out Carlsen before inducing groundouts from catcher Mikayla Thielges and third baseman Tracy Allen to end the game.

During game No. 2, the Matadors advanced baserunners into scoring position during each of the first three innings versus Patton, but only had a run-scoring single from Thielges in the first to show for their efforts.

Cal Poly, which stranded six baserunners, failed to advance a Mustang into scoring position until Correia swatted her solo homer to lead off the seventh.

The Matadors, who enjoyed a complete-game seven-hitter from righthander Hannah Fraijo (11-11), padded their lead during the fifth as Carlsen belted a two-run homer to left field. Mosier later scored on a throwing error by Correia after stealing third.