10-12
Colorado State
13-11
Cal Poly Falls Twice on Friday to Open Fresno State Classic
3/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
FRESNO, Calif. – Freshman righthander Sierra Hyland struck out eight Colorado State batters during the Cal Poly softball program's opening game on Friday at the Fresno State Classic and junior lefthander Chloe Wurst chalked up six strikeouts against Ohio State in the nightcap, but the Mustangs dropped both contests at Bulldog Diamond, falling to the Rams (6-2) and the Buckeyes (5-0).
During Friday's opening game against Colorado State (11-5), the Rams struck first during the top of the first inning as center fielder Chelsea O'Connor followed right fielder Shae Rodriguez's one-out double with a run-scoring double of her own.
Held without a baserunner over the opening two innings by Rams starting pitcher Holly Reinke (6-1), the Mustangs squared the scoreline in the bottom of the third as senior third baseman Jillian Andersen (right) singled with two down to bring home senior catcher Mariah Cochiolo.
Colorado State, however, required just another half-inning to reaffirm its lead as run-scoring singles from left fielder Kendal Butterfield and pinch hitter Haley Hutton accounted for a three-run fourth that put the Rams up 4-1.
The Rams then added two runs in the top of the sixth with a run-scoring single by Hyland that plated Andersen during the bottom half of the inning accounting for the final 6-2 scoreline.
In the circle, Hyland (10-4) – the reigning Big West Pitcher of the Week honoree – conceded nine hits in seeing a six-game winning streak snapped.
During Saturday's second defeat against Ohio State (10-12), the Buckeyes scratched out the only run required in the top of the second with designated player Jayla Saibene homering to left field.
The Buckeyes returned during the bottom half of the third to tack on four additional runs, highlighted by a three-run homer to right field by Caitlin Conrad.
Cal Poly's best chance to break through against Ohio State starting righthander Olivia O'Reilly came during the fourth when a one-out Cochiolo single sent freshman pinch runner Taylor Yzaguirre to second base. O'Reilly, however, struck out senior shortstop Kim Westlund and forced senior second baseman Ashley Romano to ground out to end any threat.
Despite walking just one in three and one-third innings of work, Wurst (3-6) suffered the loss.
Against the Buckeyes, Cal Poly compiled six hits to Ohio State's five.
Cal Poly resumes Fresno State Classic action on Saturday, March 15 at 3:45 p.m. against the host Bulldogs.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hyland, Sierra (2-2)
L: Wurst, Chloe (3-6)
Batting:
2B: Ceccacci, Emily 1
Batting:
HR: Williams, Shea 1 ; McDonough, Shawna 1
RBI: Williams, Shea 3 ; McDonough, Shawna 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tyler, Courtney 1 ; Nester, Keelia 1 ; Williams, Shea 1 ; McDonough, Shawna 1 ; Kirk, Anna 1
