Saturday, March 25
Riverside, CA
1 p.m.
1
at
0
UC Riverside
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
C/IF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
Photo by: Owen Main | Cal Poly Athletics
Clements Grand Slam Helps Deliver Saturday Sweep of UC Riverside
3/25/2023 4:11:00 PM | Softball
RIVERSIDE — Freshman righthander Sophia Ramuno struck out a career high 10 UC Riverside hitters and the Cal Poly softball program made a first-inning lead stand as the Mustangs opened a Saturday afternoon doubleheader and three-game series against the Highlanders with a 1-0 victory. Cal Poly completed the sweep at Amy S. Harrison Field with a 6-2, second-game victory after sophomore center fielder Jessica Clements's grand slam — her first home run in 68 collegiate games — broke a 2-2 deadlock in the top of the eighth.
During Saturday's opening 1-0 victory, Cal Poly (10-10, 3-2) required just four batters to record the game's only run. Clements (above) opened the series with a single before junior right fielder Juju Sargent drew a four-pitch walk. Two spots in the lineup later, freshman third baseman Mylina Garza grounded a ball that was mishandled by UC Riverside shortstop Kat Montuya and the miscue allowed Clements to score for the 1-0 advantage.
Handed the immediate lead, Ramuno (6-6) set down the Highlanders in order to close the first, stranded two in the second and one apiece to end the third and fourth innings. Retired in order once more to complete the fifth, UC Riverside (13-17, 0-5) enjoyed its best scoring opportunity in the sixth, loading the bases with no outs following a single, walk and hit batter.
Relieving Ramuno for just one batter and only three pitches, freshman righthander Amy Ross induced a fielder's choice from first baseman Marissa Burk with third baseman Rebeca Cabezas thrown out at home. Ramuno then reentered the matchup and struck out the next two Highlanders to preserve Cal Poly's 1-0 lead.
Ramuno completed the matchup by setting down UC Riverside in order a third time during the seventh.
Clements produced three of Cal Poly's six hits during Saturday's opener while junior shortstop Xiara Diaz collected two — including a fourth-inning triple.
During Saturday's second 6-2 victory, Cal Poly took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first with sophomore designated player Caroline Allman and junior first baseman Kai Barrett supplying run-scoring hits.
Behind Burk's bat, the Highlanders eventually tied the matchup against Cal Poly freshman starting righthander Ally Robbins with UC Riverside's shortstop contributing a run-scoring hit in the first and a sacrifice fly in the third.
Cal Poly's best opportunity to regain the lead occurred in the top of the fifth as the Mustangs loaded the bases with one down. Relieving UC Riverside starting righthander Brooke Perez, however, reliever Emma Falen struck out Barrett before forcing Garza into a groundout that preserved the 2-2 scoreline.
Taking over for Robbins to begin the bottom of the fourth, Mustang sophomore righthander Paige Maier (2-3) retired nine straight Highlanders before first baseman Briza Blanco singled to start UC Riverside's half of the seventh. Maier, however, stranded two Highlanders to send the matchup into extra innings.
After Barrett led off the eighth with a single, Cal Poly loaded the bases with two down after junior second baseman Mia Perez drew a four-pitch walk and Falen hit Diaz. Facing a two-strike count though, Clements belted her grand slam to give Cal Poly the 6-2 cushion.
After walking UC Riverside's leadoff batter in the bottom half, Maier — who conceded just three hits in five innings — retired the next three Highlanders on nine pitches to close out Cal Poly's Saturday sweep.
Barrett and sophomore catcher Julia Barnett each enjoyed three-hit performances in game No. 2.
Cal Poly and UC Riverside complete the three-game series with a 1 p.m. matchup on Sunday, March 26.
During Saturday's opening 1-0 victory, Cal Poly (10-10, 3-2) required just four batters to record the game's only run. Clements (above) opened the series with a single before junior right fielder Juju Sargent drew a four-pitch walk. Two spots in the lineup later, freshman third baseman Mylina Garza grounded a ball that was mishandled by UC Riverside shortstop Kat Montuya and the miscue allowed Clements to score for the 1-0 advantage.
Handed the immediate lead, Ramuno (6-6) set down the Highlanders in order to close the first, stranded two in the second and one apiece to end the third and fourth innings. Retired in order once more to complete the fifth, UC Riverside (13-17, 0-5) enjoyed its best scoring opportunity in the sixth, loading the bases with no outs following a single, walk and hit batter.
Relieving Ramuno for just one batter and only three pitches, freshman righthander Amy Ross induced a fielder's choice from first baseman Marissa Burk with third baseman Rebeca Cabezas thrown out at home. Ramuno then reentered the matchup and struck out the next two Highlanders to preserve Cal Poly's 1-0 lead.
Ramuno completed the matchup by setting down UC Riverside in order a third time during the seventh.
Clements produced three of Cal Poly's six hits during Saturday's opener while junior shortstop Xiara Diaz collected two — including a fourth-inning triple.
During Saturday's second 6-2 victory, Cal Poly took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first with sophomore designated player Caroline Allman and junior first baseman Kai Barrett supplying run-scoring hits.
Behind Burk's bat, the Highlanders eventually tied the matchup against Cal Poly freshman starting righthander Ally Robbins with UC Riverside's shortstop contributing a run-scoring hit in the first and a sacrifice fly in the third.
Cal Poly's best opportunity to regain the lead occurred in the top of the fifth as the Mustangs loaded the bases with one down. Relieving UC Riverside starting righthander Brooke Perez, however, reliever Emma Falen struck out Barrett before forcing Garza into a groundout that preserved the 2-2 scoreline.
Taking over for Robbins to begin the bottom of the fourth, Mustang sophomore righthander Paige Maier (2-3) retired nine straight Highlanders before first baseman Briza Blanco singled to start UC Riverside's half of the seventh. Maier, however, stranded two Highlanders to send the matchup into extra innings.
After Barrett led off the eighth with a single, Cal Poly loaded the bases with two down after junior second baseman Mia Perez drew a four-pitch walk and Falen hit Diaz. Facing a two-strike count though, Clements belted her grand slam to give Cal Poly the 6-2 cushion.
After walking UC Riverside's leadoff batter in the bottom half, Maier — who conceded just three hits in five innings — retired the next three Highlanders on nine pitches to close out Cal Poly's Saturday sweep.
Barrett and sophomore catcher Julia Barnett each enjoyed three-hit performances in game No. 2.
Cal Poly and UC Riverside complete the three-game series with a 1 p.m. matchup on Sunday, March 26.
Cal Poly vs. CSU Bakersfield, Softball Highlights -- Apr 5th, 2025 Game 2
Sunday, April 06
Cal Poly vs. CSU Bakersfield, Softball Highlights -- Apr 5th, 2025 Game 1
Sunday, April 06
Cal Poly vs. UC Davis, Softball Highlights -- May 4th, 2024
Saturday, May 04
Cal Poly vs. UC Davis, Softball Highlights -- May 3rd, 2024 -- Game 2
Saturday, May 04
