0-1
USSSA Pride
4-0
Cal Poly Softball Falls to NPF Franchise USSSA Pride in Monday Exhibition
10/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Junior righthander Sierra Hyland struck out six hitters, but the Cal Poly softball program – after securing a four-run, first-inning lead versus National Pro Fastpitch franchise USSSA Pride – conceded 13 unanswered runs and fell in a Monday evening exhibition at Bob Janssen Field.
With an attendance figure of 520 fans, all proceeds from Monday's exhibition will be donated to Operation Headstrong, a multi-phase clinical research trial initiative based at Cal Poly and part of the university's Institute for Advanced Technology and Public Policy. The initiative is a first-of-its-kind, large-scale research project to investigate the efficacy and viability of neurofeedback therapy as a treatment for veterans struggling with combat-related PTSD.
Hyland retired USSSA Pride in order during the top of the first and the Mustangs secured the game's opening lead during the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore third baseman Stephanie Heyward led off with a double down the left field line and USSSA Pride starter Andi Williamson walked junior left fielder Courtney Tyler and Hyland to load the bases. With one down, freshman catcher Noa Yakir produced an infield fielder's choice to score Heyward. Sophomore second baseman Ashley Tornio then drew a bases-loaded walk to double Cal Poly's lead before the Mustangs doubled it once more as a grounder from senior first baseman Breana West resulted in a two-run throwing error by Pride shortstop Brigette DelPonte.
Staked to the 4-0 lead, Hyland kept the Pride scoreless in the top of the second before USSSA broke through with two unearned runs in the third through a pair of Mustang fielding errors.
Williamson and reliever Hannah Rogers combined to retire the Mustangs in order during the third and fourth innings and the Pride – after scoring once in the fourth – grabbed the lead for certain in the top of the fifth through a pair of two-run homers from right fielder Amanda Kamekona and catcher Amber Freeman and a run-scoring double by first baseman GiOnna DiSalvatore.
Leading 8-4, USSSA completed the scoring with a five-run seventh inning highlighted by a grand slam from designated player Bianca Mejia.
Sophomore center fielder Amanda Sandoval (top) finished with two of Cal Poly's five hits.
One of National Pro Fastpitch's five franchises, USSSA Pride was founded in 2009, is organized by the United States Specialty Sports Association and based in Kissimmee, Fla. Three-time NPF champions, USSSA Pride's fall tour began with a 6-2 victory at Arizona State on Oct. 8. The Pride face Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday, Oct. 14 before visiting CSUN on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Williamson, Andi (0-0)
L: Hyland, Sierra (0-0)
Batting:
2B: DiSalvatore, GiOnna 1 ; Koerner, Emilee 1
HR: Kamekona, Amanda 1 ; DelPonte, Brigette 1 ; Freeman, Amber 1 ; Mejia, Bianca 1
RBI: DiSalvatore, GiOnna 2 ; Kamekona, Amanda 2 ; DelPonte, Brigette 1 ; Freeman, Amber 2 ; Mejia, Bianca 4
Base Running:
RUNS: Washington, Brejae 1 ; Ceo, Courtney 1 ; DiSalvatore, GiOnna 1 ; Kamekona, Amanda 2 ; Duran, Andrea 2 ; DelPonte, Brigette 2 ; Freeman, Amber 1 ; Mejia, Bianca 2 ; Koerner, Emilee 1
SB: Washington, Brejae 1 ; Mejia, Bianca 1
HBP: Mejia, Bianca 1
Batting:
2B: Heyward, Stephanie 1
RBI: Yakir, Noa 1 ; Tornio, Ashley 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Heyward, Stephanie 1 ; Tyler, Courtney 1 ; Goodrum, Alina 1 ; Yakir, Noa 1
