California State University at Northridge
39-12, 14-2
Hawai''i
28-21, 9-7
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Brittany Hitchcock (15-7)
L: Sauceda, Jordan (2-2)
Batting:
2B: Kayla Wartner 1
RBI: Kayla Wartner 1 ; Leisha Liilii 1 ; Tayana Mata 1
SH: Heather Morales 1 ; Sarina Jaramillo 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Keiki Carlos 1 ; Kayla Wartner 1 ; Sarah McAndrew 1 ; Rachel Lack 1
CS: Ulu Matagiese 1
HBP: Ulu Matagiese 1 ; Tayana Mata 1
Batting:
2B: Hooper, Katie 1
RBI: Mitchell, Maylynn 1 ; Nate, Taylor 1
SH: Kliebenstein, Tara 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hooper, Katie 1 ; Mitchell, Maylynn 1 ; Wassmer, Ariana 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Hawai'i Edges CSUN 4-3 in Series Opener
5/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- The CSUN softball team (39-12, 14-2 Big West) lost 4-3 to Hawai'i Friday afternoon in a Big West Conference game at Matador Diamond. The Rainbow Wahine's Leisha Li'ili'i collected the game-winning RBI with a single in the seventh and the Matadors could not rally in their half of the inning.Â
The Matadors held a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth, but Hawai'i scored runs in both the sixth and seventh to win the game. In the sixth, CSUN starter Brianna Elder hit Tayana Mata with the bases loaded to tie the game. In the seventh, Li'ili'i blasted a single up the middle to score Kayla Wartner.Â
The game-winning run came off Jordan Sauceda (2-2). The senior tossed the final 1.1 innings for the Matadors. Elder tossed the first 5.2 innings, recording five strikeouts to go with four walks, but did not factor in the decision.Â
Her counterpart, Brittany Hitchcock, did a good job of keeping the Matadors' offense silent. Except for a three-run fourth inning, which was aided by an error, Hitchcock worked around six hits and three walks to earn the victory. She retired the Matadors in order in four different innings, including the seventh.Â
CSUN did have its chances. In the first, the Matadors had a runner tagged out between third and home after a fielder's choice. In the sixth, the Matadors had the bases loaded with two outs, but the timely hit eluded them.Â
In the fourth, CSUN jumped ahead 3-2 in a wild inning. Katie Hooper led off the inning with her 11th double of the season. With one out, she came in to score on an RBI single from Maylynn Mitchell.
After Ariana Wassmer walked, a groundball off the bat of Tara Kliebenstein caused a throwing error and Mitchell scored from second. Wassmer would then score on an RBI single from Taylor Nate.
Hawai'i scored a run in both the third and fourth inning off Elder.Â
The Matadors and Rainbow Wahine will play a doubleheader Saturday, May 2 beginning at 1 p.m. at Matador Diamond. After game two's conclusion, the Matadors will honor their four seniors competing in their final games at Matador Diamond: Crystal Maas, Kaitlin Toerner, Elder and Sauceda.Â