Thursday, February 22
Northridge, Calif.
10:00 a.m.
California State University at Northridge
vs
Dayton
Photo by: Chuck Marvel
CSUN Prepares for Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic
2/21/2024 9:00:00 PM | Softball
Game Notes
STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE
CSUN (8-1) gears up to take on Dayton (4-1) next as its final home game for the week. The Matadors will then hit the road to participate in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. They will take on Seattle University (5-5), Utah (5-4), Bethune-Cookman (1-8), and Rutgers (6-4). The Matadors will host the Flyers on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. CSUN will play against the Redhawks on Friday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m. before competing against the Utes later that same day at 1 p.m. CSUN continues their battle with the Wildcats on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 9:30 a.m. They wrap up the tournament with a game against the Scarlet Knights on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 2:30 p.m.
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Tune in on ESPN+ or FloSoftball for videos, or @CSUNSoftball on Twitter for in-game updates. All games will have live stats. The links for the live stream and stats will be available on GoMatadors.com.
LAST IN THE BATTER'S BOX
vs. Utah Tech - Game 1
The Matadors hosted the CSUN Matador Diamond Classic. They opened the tournament with a 2-0 win against the Trailblazers. The Matadors started strong in batting as Whatman singled to first before stealing second at the bottom of first but was unable to score. Both teams continued without a score, but Carranco kept her cool and struck out the final batter to get CSUN out of a tight situation. The Matadors returned at the bottom of the third with a vengeance. Kylie Galindo fired a double into right-center as she brought Nielson and Whatman home. The Trailblazers tried to even the score with two runners and no outs, but Carranco shut them down before they could make any runs.Â
vs. Utah Tech - Game 2
The Trailblazers returned with a fight that same day to finish the doubleheader. Utah Tech opened the game with two runs at the top of the first. The Matadors tried to even the score at the bottom of the first but were unable to bring the runner home. The Matadors returned the favor as Carman singled to first to bring home Vinessa Nunez. Kylie Galindo followed with another single to overtake the Trailblazers as Whatman and Carman scored. Alonso kept CSUN's lead at 3-2 as she didn't allow Utah Tech to make another run for the rest of the game.
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vs. Pacific - Game 3
The next day, CSUN took on Pacific as the Matadors came out on top with a 3-2 victory. The Matadors started strong as they didn't allow the Tigers to score any runs in the first inning. Pacific didn't stay down for long as the Tigers scored the first run after a CSUN error. Pacific wouldn't score again until the top of the fifth inning. The Matadors returned the favor at the bottom of the fifth when Lulu Sanchez and Kaylee Escutia scored on an error from the Tigers. Sydney Freijanes wasted no time at the bottom of the seventh as she singled to bring in Escutia for the game-winning run.
vs. Utah Tech - Game 4
The Trailblazers came in ready to go as they scored four runs in the top of the first to take the lead. Mikayla Carman launched a double to bring in Whatman. Freijanes kept the ball rolling with a single sent blasting into center field to bring Carman and Alexis Chavez home. Utah Tech prevented the Matadors from getting closer in the bottom of the first. Kylie Galindo then evened the score with a single to bring Whatman home. Escutia quickly followed with another single to bring Carman home to take the lead 5-4 through two innings.
Carman added to the lead with a sacrifice fly to increase CSUN's lead as Vinessa Nunez made it home. Utah Tech refused to fold as they scored three runs to take back the lead at 7-6 in the top of the fourth inning. Whatman stepped up to the plate next in the bottom of the fifth and sent the ball exploding out of the diamond for a home run to tie the game. CSUN and Utah Tech battled hard, but neither would be able to score in the next two innings as the game went into extra innings. In the eighth, Kylie Gustin stole third base with two outs before she scored the winning run on a Freijanes single.
vs. Pacific - Game 5
After giving up a leadoff walk, Ortiz quickly shut down the threat with a pair of strikeouts with a runner in a scoring position. The Matadors then capitalized in the bottom of the first as Shaylan Whatman was hit by a pitch before advancing to second on a passed ball. Alexis Garcia then reached on an error by the Tigers second baseman, allowing Whatman to come around and score CSUN's first run. Kaylee Escutia then singled to right, moving Garcia around to third, before Sanchez walked to load the bases. Sydney Freijanes hit a ground ball to first that the Tigers turned into a force at home as the bases remained loaded. Raegan Jackson was then hit by a pitch, forcing Escutia home with the second run. Mackenzie Kila then drilled a line drive single to right that was misplayed by the Pacific right fielder and all three Matadors came in to score on the play as CSUN put up five runs in the frame. CSUN took the game 8-0 in five innings.
ABOUT DAYTON
The Flyers are coming off a 5-1 win in five innings against Drexel. Dayton adds five freshmen to its roster. Graduate student Emily Daniel leads in batting average for the Flyers with .462. She is also tied for the most runs on the team with four. Graduate student Katie Reeg leads in home runs with two. Sophomore pitcher Izzy Kemp has 22 strikeouts and has allowed only eight hits with no runs. Head coach Cara Clark is in her 17th season. This is the first time the Matadors face the Flyers.
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ABOUT SEATTLE U
The Redhawks are coming off a 6-3 win against Nevada. Seattle U adds five freshmen to its roster. Senior Sydney Frankenberger leads the team in hits with 13 and is tied in home runs with one. Sophomore Taylor Fitch leads in runs with six. Senior pitcher Stefanie Madrigal has 14 strikeouts and has allowed 23 hits and 13 runs. Head coach Geoff Hirai enters his ninth season at the helm. The Matadors lead series history at 8-2. The last time the Matadors faced the Redhawks was an 8-7 victory.
ABOUT UTAH
The Utes are coming off a 5-0 win against UC San Diego. Utah adds five freshmen to its roster. Graduate Student Haley Denning leads the team in batting average with .483. She also leads in hits (14) and runs (9). Senior Aliya Belarde leads the team in home runs with two. Senior pitcher Mariah Lopez has 23 strikeouts and has allowed 30 hits with nine runs. Head coach Amy Hogue is in her 16th season. CSUN leads the series with 24-15-2. The Utes won their last meeting with a 5-1 win.
ABOUT BETHUNE-COOKMAN
The Wildcats will face BYU, Oregon State, and San Diego State before facing CSUN. Bethune-Cookman adds six freshmen to its roster. Graduate student Thais Uyema leads in batting average with .278. Freshman Jessica Alaan leads the team in hits (6) and is tied in runs with two. Junior pitcher Halyne Gonzalez has 18 strikeouts and has allowed 37 hits with 27 runs. Head coach Laura Watten enters her 17th season at the helm. This is the second time the Matadors are playing against the Wildcats. The last time they met CSUN took the game in a 9-0 win.
ABOUT RUTGERS
The Scarlet Knights will play against Hawai'i, UC Riverside, LMU, and Cal Poly before taking on the Matadors. Rutgers adds four freshmen to its roster. Graduate student Katie Wingert leads in batting average with .433 and in home runs (6). Senior Kyleigh Sand leads the team in runs (12) and is tied in hits (13). Fifth year pitcher Mattie Boyd has 28 strikeouts and has allowed 15 hits with seven runs. Head coach Kristen Butler is in her sixth season. CSUN leads series history against Rutgers at 4-1. The last time the Matadors played the Scarlet Knights, CSUN took the win with a final score of 7-5.
#GoMatadors
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STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE
CSUN (8-1) gears up to take on Dayton (4-1) next as its final home game for the week. The Matadors will then hit the road to participate in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. They will take on Seattle University (5-5), Utah (5-4), Bethune-Cookman (1-8), and Rutgers (6-4). The Matadors will host the Flyers on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. CSUN will play against the Redhawks on Friday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m. before competing against the Utes later that same day at 1 p.m. CSUN continues their battle with the Wildcats on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 9:30 a.m. They wrap up the tournament with a game against the Scarlet Knights on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 2:30 p.m.
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Tune in on ESPN+ or FloSoftball for videos, or @CSUNSoftball on Twitter for in-game updates. All games will have live stats. The links for the live stream and stats will be available on GoMatadors.com.
LAST IN THE BATTER'S BOX
vs. Utah Tech - Game 1
The Matadors hosted the CSUN Matador Diamond Classic. They opened the tournament with a 2-0 win against the Trailblazers. The Matadors started strong in batting as Whatman singled to first before stealing second at the bottom of first but was unable to score. Both teams continued without a score, but Carranco kept her cool and struck out the final batter to get CSUN out of a tight situation. The Matadors returned at the bottom of the third with a vengeance. Kylie Galindo fired a double into right-center as she brought Nielson and Whatman home. The Trailblazers tried to even the score with two runners and no outs, but Carranco shut them down before they could make any runs.Â
vs. Utah Tech - Game 2
The Trailblazers returned with a fight that same day to finish the doubleheader. Utah Tech opened the game with two runs at the top of the first. The Matadors tried to even the score at the bottom of the first but were unable to bring the runner home. The Matadors returned the favor as Carman singled to first to bring home Vinessa Nunez. Kylie Galindo followed with another single to overtake the Trailblazers as Whatman and Carman scored. Alonso kept CSUN's lead at 3-2 as she didn't allow Utah Tech to make another run for the rest of the game.
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vs. Pacific - Game 3
The next day, CSUN took on Pacific as the Matadors came out on top with a 3-2 victory. The Matadors started strong as they didn't allow the Tigers to score any runs in the first inning. Pacific didn't stay down for long as the Tigers scored the first run after a CSUN error. Pacific wouldn't score again until the top of the fifth inning. The Matadors returned the favor at the bottom of the fifth when Lulu Sanchez and Kaylee Escutia scored on an error from the Tigers. Sydney Freijanes wasted no time at the bottom of the seventh as she singled to bring in Escutia for the game-winning run.
vs. Utah Tech - Game 4
The Trailblazers came in ready to go as they scored four runs in the top of the first to take the lead. Mikayla Carman launched a double to bring in Whatman. Freijanes kept the ball rolling with a single sent blasting into center field to bring Carman and Alexis Chavez home. Utah Tech prevented the Matadors from getting closer in the bottom of the first. Kylie Galindo then evened the score with a single to bring Whatman home. Escutia quickly followed with another single to bring Carman home to take the lead 5-4 through two innings.
Carman added to the lead with a sacrifice fly to increase CSUN's lead as Vinessa Nunez made it home. Utah Tech refused to fold as they scored three runs to take back the lead at 7-6 in the top of the fourth inning. Whatman stepped up to the plate next in the bottom of the fifth and sent the ball exploding out of the diamond for a home run to tie the game. CSUN and Utah Tech battled hard, but neither would be able to score in the next two innings as the game went into extra innings. In the eighth, Kylie Gustin stole third base with two outs before she scored the winning run on a Freijanes single.
vs. Pacific - Game 5
After giving up a leadoff walk, Ortiz quickly shut down the threat with a pair of strikeouts with a runner in a scoring position. The Matadors then capitalized in the bottom of the first as Shaylan Whatman was hit by a pitch before advancing to second on a passed ball. Alexis Garcia then reached on an error by the Tigers second baseman, allowing Whatman to come around and score CSUN's first run. Kaylee Escutia then singled to right, moving Garcia around to third, before Sanchez walked to load the bases. Sydney Freijanes hit a ground ball to first that the Tigers turned into a force at home as the bases remained loaded. Raegan Jackson was then hit by a pitch, forcing Escutia home with the second run. Mackenzie Kila then drilled a line drive single to right that was misplayed by the Pacific right fielder and all three Matadors came in to score on the play as CSUN put up five runs in the frame. CSUN took the game 8-0 in five innings.
ABOUT DAYTON
The Flyers are coming off a 5-1 win in five innings against Drexel. Dayton adds five freshmen to its roster. Graduate student Emily Daniel leads in batting average for the Flyers with .462. She is also tied for the most runs on the team with four. Graduate student Katie Reeg leads in home runs with two. Sophomore pitcher Izzy Kemp has 22 strikeouts and has allowed only eight hits with no runs. Head coach Cara Clark is in her 17th season. This is the first time the Matadors face the Flyers.
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ABOUT SEATTLE U
The Redhawks are coming off a 6-3 win against Nevada. Seattle U adds five freshmen to its roster. Senior Sydney Frankenberger leads the team in hits with 13 and is tied in home runs with one. Sophomore Taylor Fitch leads in runs with six. Senior pitcher Stefanie Madrigal has 14 strikeouts and has allowed 23 hits and 13 runs. Head coach Geoff Hirai enters his ninth season at the helm. The Matadors lead series history at 8-2. The last time the Matadors faced the Redhawks was an 8-7 victory.
ABOUT UTAH
The Utes are coming off a 5-0 win against UC San Diego. Utah adds five freshmen to its roster. Graduate Student Haley Denning leads the team in batting average with .483. She also leads in hits (14) and runs (9). Senior Aliya Belarde leads the team in home runs with two. Senior pitcher Mariah Lopez has 23 strikeouts and has allowed 30 hits with nine runs. Head coach Amy Hogue is in her 16th season. CSUN leads the series with 24-15-2. The Utes won their last meeting with a 5-1 win.
ABOUT BETHUNE-COOKMAN
The Wildcats will face BYU, Oregon State, and San Diego State before facing CSUN. Bethune-Cookman adds six freshmen to its roster. Graduate student Thais Uyema leads in batting average with .278. Freshman Jessica Alaan leads the team in hits (6) and is tied in runs with two. Junior pitcher Halyne Gonzalez has 18 strikeouts and has allowed 37 hits with 27 runs. Head coach Laura Watten enters her 17th season at the helm. This is the second time the Matadors are playing against the Wildcats. The last time they met CSUN took the game in a 9-0 win.
ABOUT RUTGERS
The Scarlet Knights will play against Hawai'i, UC Riverside, LMU, and Cal Poly before taking on the Matadors. Rutgers adds four freshmen to its roster. Graduate student Katie Wingert leads in batting average with .433 and in home runs (6). Senior Kyleigh Sand leads the team in runs (12) and is tied in hits (13). Fifth year pitcher Mattie Boyd has 28 strikeouts and has allowed 15 hits with seven runs. Head coach Kristen Butler is in her sixth season. CSUN leads series history against Rutgers at 4-1. The last time the Matadors played the Scarlet Knights, CSUN took the win with a final score of 7-5.
#GoMatadors
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Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballSoftball--CSUN vs. Hawai'i
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