California State University at Northridge
Cal Poly
CSUN Hosts Cal Poly for Big West Opener
3/14/2024 4:55:00 PM | Softball
Â
STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE
CSUN (16-7) returns to Matador Diamond to take on Cal Poly (10-9)Â in the Big West home opener. The Matadors will battle the Mustangs on Saturday, Mar. 16, in a double header beginning at 1 p.m. They will finish play with another game slated for Sunday, Mar. 17, at 1 p.m.
Tune in on ESPN+ 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. Saint Mary's
The Matadors started strong as Kylie Galindo launched the ball into center field to bring in Alexis Chavez at the bottom of the first. The Gaels returned the favor at the top of the second inning with a timely double to even the score. It would be the first and last hit for the Gaels as Alonso dominated the circle. The same wouldn't be true for the Matadors, as CSUN took the lead back in the bottom of the second. Shaylan Whatman fired the ball into center field to bring in Makenzie San Pedro and Sydney Freijanes. Both defenses held strong as there was no scoring in the third and fourth innings, but the Matadors broke through against the Gaels at the bottom of the fifth. Alexis Chavez sent the ball flying into right center for a two-run single as Whatman and Kennedy Gustin topped off the Matadors at five. The final two innings were smooth sailing for CSUN as Alonso allowed just one runner to reach.Â
vs. San Diego
The Matadors started strong as Alexia Ramirez stepped into the circle. In the third inning, the Toreros began to build some speed, but the Matadors quickly shut them down with a double play at first by Gizella Vargas Sandoval. The Matadors were first to get on the board as Vargas Sandoval hit a double that sent the ball blasting into center field, bringing in Kaylee Escutia. Isabella Alonso stepped into the circle next, at the top of the fifth inning. The Toreros refused to stay down for long as they hit a single at the top of the sixth inning to bring in the runner to tie the game at 1-1. The Matadors quickly returned the favor at the bottom of the sixth as Kaylee Escutia hit a double to bring in Maiya Alemania. She was followed by Jerzie Liana who hit a triple to bring in Jadyn Nielsen as the score rose to 3-1. The Toreros tried for a late rally, but were shut down as CSUN took the game.
vs. Fresno State
Lauryn Carranco led the defensive front as the Matadors didn't allow a single run through the first two innings. CSUN was the first on the scoreboard at the top of the third as Mikayla Carman hit a double to bring in Alexis Chavez. The Bulldogs were quick to strike back as they made a run of their own at the bottom of the third. Fresno State tried to score again in the fourth inning, but the Matadors quickly took them out with a timely double play. CSUN found another opening to take back the lead in the top of the sixth inning as Vargas Sandoval grounded out to shortstop to bring in Jerzie Liana. Fresno State quickly returned the favor at the bottom of the sixth with another RBI to bring the score to 2-2. In the bottom of the seventh, Carranco found herself in a pickle with bases loaded and two outs as the Bulldogs hit a walk-off single to take the game.
vs. Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights started strong as they scored two runs to take the lead at the top of the first inning. The Matadors didn't waste a second as Liana hit a double to bring in Mikayla Carman and Alexis Chavez at the bottom of the first inning to tie the game at 2-2. The Scarlet Knights struck back at the top of the third another two runs to take back the lead at 4-2. CSUN refused to fold as they tied the score again with a two-run homer by Whatman to bring in Raegan Jackson. Both teams' defensive fronts held strong as they went into the eighth inning. The Scarlet Knights broke through CSUN's defense with three runs to take the game.Â
vs. Nevada
The Wolfpack struck first with two runs at the bottom of the first inning off a triple. They carried their momentum into the second inning with another run to lead at 3-0. The Matadors returned the favor as Lulu Sanchez came in with a sacrifice hit to bring in Whatman. Liana followed with a single that would bring in Carman and Alexis Garcia to tie the game at 3-3 at the top of the third inning. The Wolfpack didn't hesitate to respond as they scored another run at the bottom of the fourth inning. The Matadors tried to even the score, but the Wolfpack broke open the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with two more runs for a final score of 6-3.
ABOUT CAL POLY
The Mustangs are coming off a 6-5 loss against California Baptist. Cal Poly adds five freshmen to its roster. Junior Jessica Clements leads in batting average with .515 and hits with 34. Senior Juju Sargent leads the team in runs with 15. Sophomore Kiara Blanchard leads the team in RBIs with 17. Sophomore pitcher Sophia Ramuno has pitched for 46.1 innings. She has 39 strikeouts and has allowed 48 hits with 32 runs. Head coach Jenny Condon enters her 20th season at the helm. CSUN leads series history with 89 wins, 59 losses, and one tie. The last time the Matadors faced the Mustangs was in 2023 when CSUN won 2-1 at Cal Poly.
#GoMatadors
