17-18, 0-1
CSUN
26-10, 1-0
Mustangs Drop Two at CSUN to Open Big West Conference Play
3/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
NORTHRIDGE – Sophomore righthander Sierra Hyland (right) tossed a complete-game, four-hitter with 12 strikeouts, but CSUN made a fourth-inning run stand during game No. 1 of Saturday's Big West Conference-opening doubleheader as the Cal Poly softball team fell to the Matadors, 3-0. Despite a Hyland home run during game No. 2, the Mustangs also dropped the second matchup at Matador Diamond, 3-1.
During Saturday's Big West Conference opener, Hyland (12-12) retired the first seven Matadors she faced before hitting third baseman Maylynn Mitchell with one down in the third. Hyland recovered and closed the third by striking out the side, but Matadors center fielder Taylor Glover broke up a no-hitter with a leadoff double in the fourth. After stealing third base, Glover scored CSUN's opening run as the next hitter – catcher Katie Hooper – successfully dropped a squeeze bunt in front of home plate.
CSUN (27-10, 2-0) produced just its second hit off of Hyland in the fifth but, with one down during the sixth, Hooper followed a Glover walk with a two-run homer to left field to provide the Matadors a 3-0 lead.
Despite the loss, Hyland posted her 11th career double-digit strikeout game and the sixth such effort of 2015.
Held hitless by CSUN starting righthander Zoe Conley (12-4) during the opening four innings, Cal Poly received a single from junior first baseman Breana West in the fifth and one by senior left fielder Emily Ceccacci to open the sixth.
Cal Poly's best chance, however, to break through against Conley came during the seventh. With one down, sophomore second baseman Ashley Tornio singled before freshman center fielder Amanda Sandoval reached on a fielding error by CSUN shortstop Tara Kliebenstein. West, however, hit into a double play to end the game.
During Saturday's second game, CSUN – despite twice having baserunners thrown out at home in the bottom of the first inning by Tornio at second – grabbed a 1-0 lead as second baseman Savannah Horvath doubled to plate Glover.
After conceding CSUN's opening run, Mustang starting righthander Lindsey Chalmers allowed just a solitary hit during the second and third innings. CSUN collected three hits in the fourth but, with two down, two out and Matadors at the corner bases, Chalmers forced a lineout to Tornio from right fielder Kaitlin Toerner.
Cal Poly (17-19, 0-2), meanwhile, was kept hitless and with just one baserunner until there where two down in the top of the fourth when Hyland belted her second home run of 2015 down the left field line to tie the game.
CSUN, however, required just one more inning to reaffirm the lead with Glover homering to right center field off of Hyland – who tossed two innings of relief – to place the Matadors up 2-1.
Cal Poly's best chance to equalize once again came during the top of the sixth, as Ceccacci singled to lead off. Following a sacrifice bunt by freshman shortstop Alejandra Garcia, however, Elder induced a pop up from junior right fielder Courtney Tyler before striking out Hyland.
The Matadors then returned in the bottom half of the sixth to tack on the game's final run with Mitchell doubling to right center to bring in pinch runner Aliyah Ricks.
Cal Poly and CSUN complete the three-game series with a 12 noon matchup on Sunday, March 29.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Conley, Zoe (12-4)
L: Hyland, Sierra (12-11)
Batting:
2B: Glover, Taylor 1
HR: Hooper, Katie 1
RBI: Hooper, Katie 3
SH: Hooper, Katie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Glover, Taylor 2 ; Hooper, Katie 1
SB: Glover, Taylor 2 ; Hooper, Katie 1
CS: Mitchell, Maylynn 1
HBP: Mitchell, Maylynn 1
