California State University at Northridge
9-1
Dayton
4-2
CSUN Walks-Off 8-7 Over Dayton for Ninth Straight Win
2/22/2024 2:45:00 PM | Softball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—Lulu Sanchez delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth on Thursday at Matador Diamond. CSUN beat Dayton with a final score of 8-7 in extra innings.
HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUN started strong as Isabella Alonso held off Dayton from scoring. The Matadors quickly took control as Mikayla Carman and Alexis Chavez each got on base in the bottom of the first. Kaylee Escutia was next to bat and sent the ball flying into left field for a three-run home run at the bottom of the first. The Flyers managed to get on base for the top of the second, but Alonso kept her control and held them scoreless. The Matadors kept the runs coming with a grounder by Vinessa Nunez to bring Sydney Freijanes home for a 4-0 lead. Alonso held the Flyers at zero runs until the top of the sixth inning when they scored two runs.
Lauryn Carranco was next to step in the circle and pitch for the Matadors for the seventh inning. The Flyers kept their momentum as they scored five runs to take the lead at 7-4. CSUN refused to fold as Moani Ioane hit a single. Jadyn Nielsen used the hit and an error by Dayton to bring in another run for the Matadors. Two outs later CSUN loaded the bases. Lulu Sanchez stepped up to the plate next and hit a single to bring home Kennedy Gustin and Shaylan Whatman to tie the game at 7-7. The Matadors and Flyers would remain tied until the bottom of the ninth when Lulu Sanchez singled again to bring home Alexis Chavez and win the game.
LULU DOES IT AGAIN!
— CSUN Softball (@CSUNSoftball) February 22, 2024
Her third hit and third RBI of the day wins the game for CSUN in the bottom of the 9th.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/TahaytLgAc
NOTES OF THE GAME
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CSUN's record increases to 9-1. This is the best start for the Matadors in 30 years. Dayton drops to 4-2.
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This is Kaylee Escutia's first home run of the season.
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Lulu Sanchez and Kaylee Escutia led the teams in RBI's with three each.
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Isabella Alonso pitched for 6.0 innings. She got three strikeouts, allowing two runs and seven hits. Only one run was earned.
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Lauryn Carranco pitched for 3.0 innings. She recorded two strikeouts, allowing six hits and five runs. Only three runs were earned.
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This game was the longest for the Matadors in the 2024 season.
ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH CHARLOTTE MORGAN
"It's not always going to be pretty, but we are proud of them for coming out and finding a way to win. We talked about protecting our house and I felt like they did that."
Head coach @CharMorgan34 shares her thoughts on another win for the Matadors! #GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/GxmuiHiS27
— CSUN Softball (@CSUNSoftball) February 22, 2024
UP NEXT
The Matadors hit the road for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. Their first game day will be Friday, Feb. 23, as they take on Seattle U at 10 a.m. and Utah and 1 p.m. The tournament will be broadcast on FloSoftball.
#GoMatadors
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Carranco, Lauryn (5-1)
L: KEMP, Izzy (2-1)
Batting:
2B: PAPAVASILIOU, Nico 1 ; GRACE, Molly 1 ; WONG, Chloe 1
HR: WONG, Chloe 1
RBI: SCHUTTER, Emma 2 ; GRACE, Molly 1 ; WONG, Chloe 2
SH: BAILEY, Kirnan 1
SF: SCHUTTER, Emma 1
Base Running:
RUNS: HYDE, Dee 1 ; GRACE, Molly 1 ; WONG, Chloe 1 ; WALTER, Kaelene 2 ; BAILEY, Kirnan 1 ; DANIEL, Emily 1
SB: SCHUTTER, Emma 1 ; DANIEL, Emily 2
HBP: WALTER, Kaelene 1 ; DANIEL, Emily 1
Batting:
2B: Carman, Mikayla 1
HR: Escutia, Kaylee 1
RBI: Escutia, Kaylee 3 ; Sanchez, Lulu 3 ; Nunez, Vinessa 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Whatman, Shaylan 1 ; Chavez, Alexis 2 ; Gustin , Kennedy 1 ; Carman, Mikayla 1 ; Escutia, Kaylee 1 ; Freijanes, Sydney 1 ; Nielsen, Jadyn 1
HBP: Carman, Mikayla 1
