California State University at Northridge
UCLA
Matadors Conclude 2017 Home Slate vs. UCLA, UC Riverside
4/26/2017 9:30:00 AM | Softball
CSUN Honors 11 Seniors on Sunday, April 30
GAME NOTES IN PDF FORMAT
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- The CSUN softball team (27-16, 7-5 Big West Conference) host UCLA and UC Riverside this week for the final four-game slate at Matador Diamond for the 2017 season. On Wednesday, April 26, the Matadors take on the Bruins in a 3:30 p.m. contest that will feature a post-game autograph session featuring former Team USA players and coaches from UCLA and CSUN as well as the Matadors and Bruins.Â
This weekend, the Matadors host the UC Riverside Highlanders for a three-game Big West Conference series at Matador Diamond. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 29 and a single game on Sunday, April 30. All four games will feature live stats and live audio with Brandon Marcus calling all the action while Wednesday's game with UCLA and Saturday's doubleheader against UCR will be broadcast live on BigWest TV. Sunday's game will also be Senior Day for the Matadors, who will honor their 11 seniors on the 2017 roster in a pre-game ceremony.Â
Last week, CSUN showed a flair for the dramatic in winning in a Big West Conference series with Cal Poly. In game one, CSUN struck for four two-out runs in the bottom of the first. Madison Fleming delivered an RBI single and Savannah Horvath blasted a three-run home run to give CSUN a 4-1 advantage. The home run was the 30th of Horvath's career. Taylor Troost nailed down the victory with her league-leading third save of the season while Daphne Pofek earned the win.Â
In game three, the Matadors scored an unearned run in the fifth and Pofek carried a no-hitter into the top of the sixth. However, the Mustangs rallied for a two-out, two-run double in the sixth to take a 2-1 lead. CSUN responded immediately as Fleming blasted a two-out double to score Taylor Glover and tie the game. In the bottom of the seventh, Tara Kliebenstein drew a one-out walk and Mackenzie Babbit laid down a bunt single to set up a game-winning double from Glover.
This week, the Matadors host No. 12 UCLA and UC Riverside for the final four home games of the 2017 season. UCLA is 33-12 on the season and is coming off a sweep of Cal last weekend. Three days later, the Matadors and Highlanders meet for three games at Matador Diamond. The Highlanders are 23-20 and 5-7 In Big West Conference play.Â
Sunday's game with UCR will represent the final home game for a CSUN senior class of 11 that has helped redefine Matador Softball during their time on campus. The Matadors will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.Â
Lights, Camera, Action
The CSUN softball team's doubleheader at Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, May 6 will be broadcast by the Big West Conference on ESPN3. The Matadors and Titans start the day from Anderson Family Field at 2 p.m. and the game will also feature live stats with links available on the softball schedule page of GoMatadors.com. Â
Wild Pitches
- Last week, Savannah Horvath became the 10th player in program history to reach 100 career RBIs
- Taylor Glover is just the second player in Big West Conference history to reach 90 career stolen bases
- Katie Hooper needs just one more double to set a new school record; she is currently tied for the record with 45 two-baggers
- Daphne Pofek won a pair of games in the circle last weekend against Cal Poly, successfully dueling with the Mustangs' Sierra Hyland
- Tara Kliebenstein has hit five triples over the past two seasons, including a team-high three in 2017
- Mackenzie Babbitt is a perfect 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts this season and has 23 for her career
- Taylor Nate ranks among the league leaders in walks (23) and on-base percentage (.432)
- Taylor Troost has won a career-high 10 games in the circle in 2017 and is third in the Big West with an opponent batting average of  .205
- Rebecca Bell recorded her first career Big West win with over five innings of relief work against Hawai'i on April 7Â
- Jessica Alexander has a pair of two-home run games in her rookie seasonÂ
