1-0
Creighton
1-1
Hyland, Sandoval Lift Cal Poly to Season-Opening Doubleheader Split
2/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TEMPE, Ariz. – Sophomore righthander Sierra Hyland struck out 14 Creighton hitters Friday morning in a one-hit shutout and freshman center fielder Amanda Sandoval homered to provide the game's lone run as the Cal Poly softball program opened the 2015 season and the Arizona State-hosted Kajikawa Classic with a 1-0 triumph against Creighton.
Cal Poly, however, sustained its first loss of the year during game No. 2 of Friday's doubleheader, falling to second-ranked Oregon at Tempe Sports Complex, 7-0
During Friday's season opener against Creighton (1-2), Hyland (1-0) – the reigning Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year honoree – retired the first 10 hitters she faced. Jays left fielder Michelle Trulin singled with one out in the fourth, but was eventually thrown out at home by Mustang sophomore second baseman Ashley Tornio to end the inning on an attempted double steal.
Cal Poly then notched the game's decisive run in the top of the fifth as Sandoval – during just her second collegiate at-bat and with her first career hit – led off the inning with a homer to left center field.
Hyland returned to action in the bottom of the fifth by striking out five successive Jays. Hyland walked one Creighton hitter in the sixth, but retired four successive Jays to end the matchup.
Three of Cal Poly's five hits versus Creighton went for extra bases with Tornio doubling to lead off the sixth and freshman Chelsea Convissar earning her first collegiate hit with a one-out double in the seventh.
During Friday's second game versus No. 2 Oregon (1-0), the Ducks chipped away at Cal Poly starting freshman righthander Lindsey Chalmers (0-1) in the first inning with third baseman Jenna Lilley producing a two-out, two-run double. Oregon then doubled its lead in the second as center fielder Janie Takeda and right fielder Alyssa Gillespie compiled successive run-scoring base hits.
Cal Poly's best chance to break through versus Oregon starting righthander Karissa Hovinga (1-0) came during the bottom of the fourth, as Hyland singled with one down before Tornio followed with two outs with an infield single. Mustang freshman catcher Alejandra Garcia, however, struck out to end the threat.
The Ducks added a solitary run in the fourth and three more in the seventh to finalize the scoreline.
Against Oregon, both Hyland and Tornio finished with a team-high two hits.
Cal Poly returns to Kajikawa Classic play on Saturday, Feb. 7 when facing BYU (8:15 a.m. PT) and California (12:45 p.m.).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: K. Hovinga (1-0)
L: Hyland, Sierra (1-1)
S: Hyland, Sierra (1)
Batting:
2B: J. Takeda 1 ; Goodrum, Alina 1 ; Hyland, Sierra 1
RBI: J. Takeda 1 ; A. Gillespie 1 ; Goodrum, Alina 2 ; Smi-Willett 1 ; L. Lindvall 1 ; Convissar, Chelsea 1
SH: Convissar, Chelsea 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Yzaguirre, Taylor 2 ; J. Lindvall 1 ; Manser, Dayna 1 ; Smi-Willett 1 ; Heyward, Stephanie 1 ; K. Costa 1 ; Convissar, Chelsea 1
SB: Convissar, Chelsea 1
CS: Heyward, Stephanie 1
Batting:
2B: Hyland, Sierra 1
Base Running:
HBP: Tyler, Courtney 1
