Mustangs Swept Friday by Big West Leader Cal State Fullerton

Friday, April 28

San Luis Obispo, CA

4 p.m.

15-19, 8-11

Cal State Fullerton

28-16, 15-4

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Cal State Fullerton	0	0	3	0	1	0	0	4	6	1
Cal Poly	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	6	3

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Cal State Fullerton	0	2	0	0	1	1	2	6	9	0
Cal Poly	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	3	6	5

Sargent Connect CSU Bakersfield (Betwos)

Photo by: Eyasu Betwos

Mustangs Swept Friday by Big West Leader Cal State Fullerton

4/28/2023 6:59:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SAN LUIS OBISPO – A three-run homer from Cal State Fullerton center fielder Bailey Wallace provided the eventual winning cushion for the Titans as the Cal Poly softball program opened a three-game series and Friday doubleheader with a 4-2 setback at Bob Janssen Field. Cal Poly also dropped game No. 2 as five errors contributed in transforming a 3-2 lead into a 4-3 defeat.

During Friday's opening matchup, Cal Poly starting freshman righthander Sophia Ramuno (10-10) retired seven of Cal State Fullerton's initial eight hitters before Titans right fielder Anaiya Mitchell singled with one down in the third. Second baseman Alexa Neil followed with a walk before Wallace launched her first home run of the season over the right center field wall to supply the Titans a 3-0 advantage.

Offensively, Cal Poly was limited to just one hit through the opening three innings by Titans starting righthander Myka Sutherlin (16-7). Mustang junior shortstop Xiara Diaz, however, reached to lead off the fourth through a Titans error. Junior righthander Juju Sargent followed with a one-out fielder's choice before stealing second to place two baserunners in scoring position for first baseman Kai Barrett, who plated Diaz with a sacrifice fly. Sophomore catcher Julia Barnett followed with a single to right that brought home Sargent for a 3-2 deficit.

Cal State Fullerton grabbed a run back at the first opportunity as Neil reached on a Mustang fielding error with one down in the fourth before stealing second and scoring through a Wallace outfield single.

Cal Poly's best chance to equalize late came during the bottom of the seventh as the Mustangs placed a pair on base with two down. Stranding seven total Mustangs though, Sutherlin forced a game-ending groundout from Cal Poly sophomore second baseman Caroline Allman.

During Friday's second matchup, Cal State Fullerton edged out to a 2-0 lead during the top of the second. After the Mustangs recorded successive outs to open the inning, Cal State Fullerton drew walks either side of a single by left fielder Evelyn Sablan. Neil then delivered a liner off the glove of Mustang freshman third baseman Mylina Garza to bring home two Titans.

Facing the two-run deficit, Cal Poly surged to a 3-2 lead during the bottom of the third with sophomore center fielder Jessica Clements first following freshman left fielder Kiara Blanchard's leadoff walk with a run-scoring double. After Cal State Fullerton starting righthander Haley Rainey (8-4) hit Diaz, Sargent delivered a two-run single to provide Cal Poly the 3-2 edge.

Scoreless during the fourth, Cal State Fullerton equalized in the top of the fifth as the Titans placed runners at the corner bases with two down before a Mustang fielding error plated Neil for a 3-3 deadlock.

With Cal Poly retired in order to complete the fifth, two errors in the top of the sixth undid the Mustangs as a two-out miscue off the bat of Wallace and with Titans at the corner bases plated pinch runner Ava Arce for a 4-3 Cal State Fullerton edge.

The Mustangs then stranded runners at the corner bases to end the sixth and Cal State Fullerton scored twice in the seventh to help seal victory.

Cal Poly and Cal State Fullerton complete the three-game series with a 1 p.m. matchup on Saturday, April 29.