Cal Poly Softball Edges St. John's, Falls to Iowa State at San Diego Classic

Saturday, February 28

San Diego, CA

11:30 am

8-10

St. John's

4-11

St. John's

Cal Poly

Cal Poly Softball Edges St. John's, Falls to Iowa State at San Diego Classic

2/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SAN DIEGO – Freshman righthander Lindsey Chalmers (right) struck out five and freshman first baseman's Stephanie Heyward's fifth-inning single helped contribute to the Cal Poly softball team's winning run versus St. John's as the Mustangs opened a Saturday doubleheader at the San Diego Classic with a 3-2 triumph. Cal Poly, however, fell in game No. 2 to Iowa State in 12 innings, 4-3.

During Saturday's opening game versus St. John's (4-11), the Red Storm grabbed the early lead and their lone runs in the top of the first as first baseman Krystal Puga followed a leadoff single from third baseman Hannah Anderson with a two-run homer to right field.

Cal Poly, however, struck back in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs, sophomore right fielder Courtney Tyler and sophomore designated player Sierra Hyland strung together base hits. The next Mustang, sophomore second baseman Ashley Tornio, then singled down the right field line to deadlock the game.

After stranding two St. John's baserunners in the second and third, Chalmers (2-3) retired the Red Storm in order in the fourth and fifth.

With the tie preserved, Cal Poly found the decisive run in the bottom of the fifth. After leading off with a single and moving to second through a Hyland sacrifice bunt, Tyler was substituted at second base for freshman pinch runner Alina Goodrum. Heyward directed the next pitch toward Red Storm shortstop Monique Landini, who committed an error that allowed Goodrum to race home from third.

Staked to the lead, Chalmers – who tossed 70.1 percent of her 97 pitches for strikes – allowed just one hit the remainder of the game to earn her second career victory.

Tyler finished with a game-high three hits for Cal Poly, which outhit the Red Storm, 13-6.

During Saturday's second contest versus Iowa state (11-3), Cal Poly grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top of the 10th as Tyler – beginning the inning on second base with the international tiebreaker rule in effect – scored on a two-out single down the right field line by Heyward.

The Cyclones, however, tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as center fielder Brittany Gomez singled down the left field line to bring home pinch runner Paris Imholz.

Hyland (6-7), who went the distance for Cal Poly and struck out five, stranded two Cyclone baserunners to close the 10th before Iowa State right fielder Aly Cappaert lined into a double play to cap the 11th inning.

Into the 12th, Mustang center fielder Amanda Sandoval began the inning on second before moving to third through a sacrifice bunt by senior left fielder Emily Ceccacci. Tyler, Hyland and Heyward then walked in succession to force home Sandoval for a 3-2 Mustang lead.

Cal Poly's advantage, however, was short lived as, with Cyclones at the corner bases and none out in the bottom of the 12th, pinch hitter Gabby Voulgaris singled to Mustang shortstop Chelsea Convissar to score Cappaert for a 3-3 tie. A sacrifice from catcher Sammie Hildreth then moved two Iowa State baserunners into scoring position and, with one down, a fielder's choice from Gomez scored first baseman Jorden Spendlove for a 4-3 Iowa State victory.

Ceccacci produced a game-leading three hits for Cal Poly against Iowa State.

Cal Poly (8-11) closes San Diego Classic play on Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. versus San Diego.