Sunday, February 23
San Luis Obispo, CA
11 a.m.
7
vs
3
Sacramento State
Players Mentioned
C/IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
Photo by: Christina Thai
Six-Run Fifth Sends Cal Poly Past Sacramento State, 7-3
2/23/2025 2:00:00 PM | Softball
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Junior right fielder Kiara Blanchard and sophomore pinch hitter Natalie Curran each supplied run-scoring doubles as part of a six-run fifth inning as the Cal Poly softball program overcame an early deficit to close a three-game series against Sacramento State with a 7-3 victory Sunday afternoon at Bob Janssen Field.
Sacramento State (8-5) opened Sunday's scoring during the top half of the second with left fielder Lafulafu Malepeai swatting a two-run homer. The Hornets then ran the lead to 3-0 in the third through third baseman Nikki Barboza's run-scoring groundout.
Offensively, Cal Poly (3-10) was kept to a solitary hit by Sacramento State starting righthander Alexa Ortiz through the initial three innings before grabbing a run back during the fourth as freshman shortstop Sienna Erskine's first collegiate triple brought home senior first baseman Malia Mah.
The Mustangs then exploded for the six-run fifth inning as Blanchard and Curran got things rolling with back-to-back, one-out, run-scoring doubles. Senior catcher Julia Barnett followed with a third straight double to place two Mustangs in scoring position before junior third baseman Mylina Garza delivered the go-ahead RBI.
Erskine followed with her second run-scoring hit of the afternoon, extending Cal Poly's lead to 5-3 by plating Barnett. Freshman designated player Maya Venegas followed with a grounder that was mishandled by Sacramento State reliever Caroline Evans – a miscue that brought in freshman pinch runner Aly Barrios. A groundout from sophomore right fielder A'Niyla Byrd next scored Mah for the 7-3 edge.
Handed the lead, senior reliever Kate Judy (1-3) picked up her first win of 2025 by holding the Hornets to just a solitary hit during the final two innings.
Cal Poly resumes action at Long Beach State's Feb. 28-Feb. 2 Louisville Slugger Invitational with the Mustangs opening action Friday, Feb. 28 against Pitt at 9 a.m.
Sacramento State (8-5) opened Sunday's scoring during the top half of the second with left fielder Lafulafu Malepeai swatting a two-run homer. The Hornets then ran the lead to 3-0 in the third through third baseman Nikki Barboza's run-scoring groundout.
Offensively, Cal Poly (3-10) was kept to a solitary hit by Sacramento State starting righthander Alexa Ortiz through the initial three innings before grabbing a run back during the fourth as freshman shortstop Sienna Erskine's first collegiate triple brought home senior first baseman Malia Mah.
The Mustangs then exploded for the six-run fifth inning as Blanchard and Curran got things rolling with back-to-back, one-out, run-scoring doubles. Senior catcher Julia Barnett followed with a third straight double to place two Mustangs in scoring position before junior third baseman Mylina Garza delivered the go-ahead RBI.
Erskine followed with her second run-scoring hit of the afternoon, extending Cal Poly's lead to 5-3 by plating Barnett. Freshman designated player Maya Venegas followed with a grounder that was mishandled by Sacramento State reliever Caroline Evans – a miscue that brought in freshman pinch runner Aly Barrios. A groundout from sophomore right fielder A'Niyla Byrd next scored Mah for the 7-3 edge.
Handed the lead, senior reliever Kate Judy (1-3) picked up her first win of 2025 by holding the Hornets to just a solitary hit during the final two innings.
Cal Poly resumes action at Long Beach State's Feb. 28-Feb. 2 Louisville Slugger Invitational with the Mustangs opening action Friday, Feb. 28 against Pitt at 9 a.m.
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