Mustang Softball Squad Splits Friday Slate at Easton Invitational

Friday, March 1

Fullerton, Calif. (Easton Invitational)

11:15 am

5-10-1

Indiana

10-6

Cal Poly

Indiana

Mustang Softball Squad Splits Friday Slate at Easton Invitational

3/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

FULLERTON, Calif. – Junior catcher Mariah Cochiolo and freshman first baseman Breana West (right) both swatted home runs and sophomore lefthander Chloe Wurst matched a career high with seven strikeouts as the Cal Poly softball program opened play at the Cal State Fullerton-hosted Easton Invitational with a 10-3 victory against Indiana. Cal Poly, however, fell during the second game of its doubleheader to No. 8 California, 11-3, in five innings.

During Friday's opening contest versus Indiana (10-6), Cal Poly (5-11-1) led from the onset as sophomore right fielder Celina Lafrades drew a bases-loaded walk during the top of the first to force home junior second baseman Ashley Romano. Cal Poly doubled its lead an inning later as West struck her first collegiate homer over the left field fence. The Mustangs then went up 3-0 in the fourth as junior left fielder Lauren Moreno scored on a passed ball by Hoosier catcher Kelsey Dotson.

Held to a solitary hit by Wurst through the opening four innings, Indiana broke through in the fifth with center fielder Samantha Heyman producing a two-run single.

Cal Poly, however, placed the game out of reach with a five-run fifth inning highlighted by Cochiolo's three-run homer to center field.

Leading 8-2, Cal Poly tacked on two more runs in the seventh as junior third baseman Jillian Andersen and junior shortstop Kim Westlund each tallied run-scoring hits.

In the circle versus Indiana, Wurst scatted six hits against zero walks to improve to 3-3-1.

During Friday's second contest against California (13-2), the Golden Bears – led by catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt's grand slam – produced a seven-run first inning. Ziegenhirt then furthered California's lead to 10-0 with a three-run homer during the bottom of the second.

Limited to two hits through the opening four innings by California's rotation of righthanders Jolene Henderson and Nikki Owens, Cal Poly responded in the fifth as Westlund unloaded the Mustang basepaths with a double to center field.

Leading 10-3, however, California scored the decisive run to force the shortened victory during the bottom of the fifth as third baseman Danielle Henderson earned a bases-loaded walk.

Cal Poly continues Easton Invitational action on Saturday, March 2 against No. 24 Oregon State at 9 a.m. and Northwestern at 6 p.m.