Tornio Homer Helps Cal Poly Softball Team Split Tuesday Doubleheader

Tuesday, March 24

Bakersfield, CA

1 pm

16-17

CSU Bakersfield

12-12

Cal Poly

CSU Bakersfield

Tornio Homer Helps Cal Poly Softball Team Split Tuesday Doubleheader

3/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

BAKERSFIELD – The Cal Poly softball program made its lone opening-game run stand for four innings, but CSU Bakersfield scored twice in the sixth and, behind a no-hitter from starting righthander Kelsie Monroe, edged the Mustangs 2-1 in game No. 1 of a Tuesday doubleheader at Roadrunner Softball Complex. Cal Poly, however, responded in game No. 2 as a three-run homer from sophomore second baseman Ashley Tornio (right) in the top of the seventh inning helped provide the Mustangs an 8-6, come-from-behind triumph.

During Tuesday's second contest, Cal Poly (17-17) – following the opening-game no-hitter – found itself trailing CSU Bakersfield 5-1 after the Roadrunners scored three times in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Mustangs, however, responded with a four-run sixth inning to deadlock the scoreline. Freshman designated player Stephanie Heyward contributed to Cal Poly's first run by following sophomore right fielder Courtney Tyler's one-out double with a base hit. After Tornio drew a walk and freshman center fielder Amanda Sandoval singled to load the bases, CSU Bakersfield starting righthander Lyndsay Klimenko unfurled a wild pitch to score Heyward. Klimenko then walked Mustang junior first baseman Breana West to re-load the bases for junior pinch hitter Betsy Colburn, who delivered a two-run double to square the game at 5-5.

CSU Bakersfield needed just a half-inning to strike back though as left fielder Madison Bundy's two-out double scored right fielder Briana Pontecorvo to put the Roadrunners back in front, 6-5.

Cal Poly returned in the top of the seventh to produce the decisive margin as a two-out double by sophomore righthander Sierra Hyland and a Heyward single set the stage for Tornio, who belted her team-leading third home run of 2015 off the left field foul pole.

Hyland, who tossed two innings of relief, returned to the circle in the bottom of the seventh and conceded just a hit to protect Cal Poly's lead.

Heyward finished with a game-high three hits for Cal Poly.

During Tuesday's 2-1, opening-game defeat, Cal Poly scratched out its lone run in the bottom of the second. Having reached second base after Roadrunners first baseman Nicole Curry mishandled a throw from CSU Bakersfield starting pitcher righthander Kelsie Monroe (7-6), Heyward moved to third through a Tornio sacrifice bunt before scoring on a groundout by freshman center fielder Amanda Sandoval.

Following the second inning, Cal Poly was held to just two baserunners the remainder of game. With two down in the third, Monroe struck Convissar with a pitch while Hyland drew a full-count walk to lead off the seventh.

In the circle, Hyland – who struck out six – stranded 10 CSU Bakersfield baserunners until the sixth, when designated player Selena Gonzalez followed a leadoff double by Bundy with a run-scoring triple. The next Roadrunner, shortstop Alexandra Simmons, flew out to right field, but after making the catch, Courtney Tyler bounced a throw home to Mustang freshman catcher Susanne Morris. The ball skipped past Morris and Gonzalez scored from third to provide CSU Bakersfield the 2-1 lead.

After Hyland walked to lead off Cal Poly's half of the seventh, Monroe retired the next three hitters in succession to record the first no-hitter against the Mustangs since Boise State topped Cal Poly 7-1 on Feb. 24, 2012 – a span of 182 games.

Cal Poly returns to action when opening Big West Conference play at CSUN with a March 28-29 three-game series. The series opens with a 12 noon doubleheader on Saturday, March 28.