Hawai'i
Hyland Makes Big West History, but Cal Poly Splits Doubleheader
5/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HONOLULU, O'ahu – Junior left fielder Courtney Tyler's run-scoring hit in the top of the sixth inning broke a 3-3 deadlock as the Cal Poly softball program opened a Saturday doubleheader versus Hawai'i with a 4-3 triumph at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Despite a complete-game, two-hitter from junior Sierra Hyland (above) during which she moved in to 10th place on the Big West Conference career strikeout list, Cal Poly dropped game No. 2 after Hawai'i third baseman Nicole Lopez homered in the bottom of the eighth inning in a 1-0 decision.
During Saturday's opening matchup, Cal Poly starting sophomore righthander Lindsey Chalmers retired six of the first seven hitters she faced. In the third, however, Hawai'i starting righthander Kanani Aina Cabrales (8-10) reached on a fielding error by sophomore third baseman Stephanie Heyward before Chalmers hit right fielder Jennifer Iseri. A sacrifice bunt from center fielder Sarah Muzik moved both Rainbow Wahine baserunners into scoring position before right fielder Keiki Carlos delivered Hawai'i's first hit off of Chalmers – a run-scoring single to bring home Cabrales.
Held to two hits by Cabrales through the first four innings, Cal Poly (24-23, 7-11) reversed the lead in the top of the fifth. The Mustangs required just two hitters to square the game with freshman catcher Makenna Young following junior left fielder Courtney Tyler's leadoff triple with a sacrifice fly. Sophomore shortstop Alejandra Garcia next drew a full-count walk while junior second baseman Ashley Tornio contributed a sacrifice bunt and Heyward added a single to place Mustangs at the corner bases. Sophomore Amanda Sandoval then unloaded the bases by doubling off the top of the center field wall to place the Mustangs up 3-1.
Hawai'i (23-28, 7-11) returned during the bottom of the fifth to load the bases with two down versus Chalmers, who gave way to righthander Sierra Hyland (13-7). Rainbow Wahine first baseman Heather Morales cut Cal Poly's lead to 3-2 with a single to left field before Hyland walked second baseman Tayana Mata as Hawai'i tied the matchup 3-3.
Cal Poly, however, needed just a half-inning to produce the winning run as senior Betsy Colburn sliced a double into right center before Tyler drove her home with a single to left center.
Handed the lead once more, Hyland retired the final six Hawai'i hitters in order to preserve the 4-3 victory.
Heyward, Sandoval and Tyler all finished with two hits for Cal Poly during Saturday's opener.
During Saturday's second game, Hyland continued in the circle for Cal Poly by retiring the first six Hawai'i hitters of the matchup. Rainbow Wahine shortstop Dori Ann Sugai led off the bottom of the third with a single and Hyland hit center fielder Ulu Matagiese to place two runners on with zero outs. Hyland though maintained a scoreless game by striking out catcher Heather Cameron, earning a force out on a Muzik grounder and inducing a Lopez fly out to end the threat.
Hawai'i also placed its first two hitters on base to begin the bottom of the fourth, but Hyland struck out Mata and pinch hitter Kiani Wong before forcing a Sugai pop up to keep the Rainbow Wahine scoreless.
Offensively, Cal Poly saw its first 17 hitters retired in order before Tornio singled up the middle with two outs in the top of the sixth. Sandoval added Cal Poly's second hit of the game to lead off the seventh, but the Mustangs were unable to break through against Hawai'i starting righthander Brittany Hitchcock (12-14) during the regulation seven innings.
By striking out Cameron to close the bottom of the seventh, Hyland recorded her 686th career strikeout to displace Cal State Fullerton's Gina Oaks (2000-03) for 10th place in Big West Conference history.
In the eighth inning, the Mustangs were retired in order during the top half before Lopez homered with one out in the bottom half. The homer marked just the second earned run Hyland had allowed in 39.1 conference innings pitched, bringing her Big West ERA to 0.36.
Including Cal Poly's 3-2 loss Friday evening, all three games during the series were decided by one run.
Cal Poly closes the 2016 regular season when hosting UC Riverside for a three-game May 13-14 series at Bob Janssen Field. The series gets underway with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Friday, May 13.
