Colburn, West, Convissar Help Lift Cal Poly to Doubleheader Split

Saturday, April 18

2 pm

22-23, 5-6

Hawai'i

25-19, 6-5

Hawai'i

Cal Poly

Colburn, West, Convissar Help Lift Cal Poly to Doubleheader Split

4/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Junior designated player Betsy Colburn (right) kept the Cal Poly softball program in the lead with an RBI in the second and fourth innings and junior first baseman Breana West added a two-run double in the sixth to preserve the lead as the Mustangs opened a Saturday afternoon doubleheader versus Hawai'i with an 8-1 triumph. Cal Poly, however, collected just four hits in game No. 2 at Bob Janssen Field and closed the three-game series with a 4-1 loss.

Against Cal Poly starting righthander Hyland (17-15) in game No. 1, Hawai'i loaded the bases with two down before Mustang freshman right fielder Amanda Sandoval preserved a scoreless game by making a diving catch on a drive by Rainbow Wahine second baseman Dori Ann Sugai.

Cal Poly (22-24, 5-7) responded in the bottom half of the inning with the game's opening run. With the Mustangs having loaded the bases without a hit, Colburn produced a sacrifice fly to plate freshman third baseman Stephane Heyward.

Hawai'i (26-19, 7-5), however, answered by tying the game in the top of the third as a double steal by left fielder Rachel Lack at first and right fielder Keiki Carlos from third tied the game at 1-1.

The Rainbow Wahine advanced baserunners into scoring position versus Hyland in the third and fourth innings before Cal Poly reaffirmed its lead once again through Colburn. With one down in the fourth and Mustangs at third and second, Colburn singled up the middle to score Heyward to a 2-1 lead.

Pitching once more with the lead, Hyland retired nine of the final 11 hitters she faced and conceded just one hit during the final three innings.

Cal Poly then padded its lead with six runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run double by West, a run-scoring double from Colburn and a bases-clearing triple from freshman shortstop Chelsea Convissar.

Cal Poly's opening-game victory marked the first time in nine meetings between the Mustangs and Rainbow Wahine as Big West Conference opponents that the home team won a game in the series.

During Saturday's second game, Hawai'i grabbed the contest's only lead in the top of the second as center fielder Ulu Matagiese scored left fielder Lindsey Willmon with a run-scoring hit before Carlos brought home shortstop Sarina Jaramillo with a sacrifice fly.

Cal Poly cut Hawai'i's lead in half during the bottom of the second as Heyward led off with a single before moving to second after sophomore second baseman Ashley Tornio laid down a sacrifice bunt. West then singled to center field two pitches later to bring home Heyward for a 2-1 deficit.

Hawai'i, however, added two additional runs in the top of the third through run-scoring hits from Willmon and catcher Kayla Wartner.

Hyland entered the circle in place of starting righthander Lindsey Chalmers (5-8) to begin the fourth inning and allowed just two hits during the final four innings.

However, Cal Poly – after scoring its second-inning run – produced just one hit the remainder of the day while the final 13 Mustangs were retired in order.

Cal Poly continues action with a three-game April 25-26 set at Cal State Fullerton. The series, broadcasted on ESPN3, gets underway with a 12 noon doubleheader on Saturday, April 25.