Matadors Sweep Doubleheader with Providence

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN swept a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader from Providence College, winning 5-0 in the opener and 10-0 in five innings at Matador Diamond Tuesday afternoon. Jillian James tossed a two-hitter in game one, striking out nine batters for her first career shutout. In game two, Kenedee Jamerson went the distance as well, giving up three hits for her first complete game shutout as a Matador. Savannah Horvath finished with four hits in the doubleheader including five RBI and a three-run home run to end game two. The Matadors outhit the Friars 18-5 and tallied five extra base hits on the day.

Game One Recap:

The Matadors took the lead in the first inning of game one. After Megan Stevens hit a two-out double and Raquel Jaime reached on an small pop fly near the circle, Stevens scored on a passed ball. CSUN added to its lead in the third inning without the benefit of a hit as Horvath was hit by a pitch then advanced to second base before stealing third base and scoring on a sacrifice fly from Stevens.

The early runs would be more than enough for James who did not give up a hit until the fourth inning as she struck out four through three frames. James was able to escape trouble in the fourth after giving up a walk and a single, but she retired the next two batters in order. In the fifth, James surrendered a leadoff triple to Brittney Veler, however she was able to keep the ball on the infield against the next three batters.

CSUN stretched its lead to five runs in the bottom of the fifth, scoring twice with two outs. Horvath hit a one-out triple to begin the rally, and she later scored on a sacrifice fly from Kira Cauley. Later in the frame, Journey Rojas hit a two-out RBI double, bringing home Stevens from second base.

James continued to roll in the circle over the last two frames. The right hander sat down the side in order in the sixth and struck out the first two batters in the seventh. After giving up a two-out walk to Veler, James ended the game by striking out Alison Abbatiello.

Rojas finished 2-for-3 with two RBI while Horvath and Stevens scored twice in the victory. James earned her fourth complete game of the season.

Game Two Recap:

The Matadors scored in every inning as they run-ruled the Friars in the 10-run victory. Corrin Green kicked off the scoring with a two-out RBI single, plating Horvath in the bottom of the first.

An inning later, CSUN took a 3-0 lead as it capitalized on a pair of Providence errors. MacKenzie Babbitt laid down a bunt in what appeared to be a routine groundball to third base. However, second baseman Annie Flego dropped the ball as she tried to record the out at first base. Horvath followed with a single, and Cauley would move both runners up on a grounder to short. Stevens stepped to the plate next and hit a groundball to short, but a throwing error allowed Stevens to reach safely. On the play, Babbitt scored and a hustling Horvath also touched home plate to push the lead to three.

In a three-run third, two more unearned runs came across. After Jamerson singled to lead off the frame, Jocelin Soto reached on a error at third base. Haileigh Gonzalez would lay down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners before Horvath connected with a two-out RBI single through the left side. Horvath later scored on a wild pitch that made it a 6-0 game.

Jamerson was strong all day for the Matadors in the circle. In the first, she pitched out of trouble as she stranded two base runners in scoring position. She also retired eight-straight batters in the early innings. In the fifth, Jamerson allowed a leadoff single to Megan McCune but she rebounded by retiring the next three batters in a row. Jamerson allowed just three balls to reach the outfield including a pair of singles on the day.

The Matadors picked up another run on a Green leadoff homer in the sixth. Needing just a run to end the game in the fifth, the Matadors would get that on one swing of the bat. Ty Cueva was hit by a pitch to start the frame, and Jaymi Steward singled through the right side to bring Horvath to the plate. On an 0-2 pitch, Horvath belted a no doubt three-run blast over the left field wall to seal the CSUN win.

Green finished 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored while Jamerson added two hits to go with her shutout.

CSUN will host a four-team tournament beginning Friday at Matador Diamond. The Matadors will take on Oregon State at 8 a.m. and Texas Tech at 3 p.m. on the first day of the tournament.

Players Mentioned

Kira Cauley

Ty Cueva

Haileigh Gonzalez

Corrin Green

Savannah Horvath

Raquel Jaime

Kenedee Jamerson

Jillian James

Journey Rojas

Jocelin Soto

Megan Stevens

Jaymi Steward