California State University at Northridge
Hawai'i
CSUN Hits the Road to Battle Hawai'i
3/18/2024 5:32:00 PM | Softball
Game Notes
STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE
CSUN (16-10, 0-3 Big West) continues conference play as the Matadors hit the road to take on Hawai'i (8-16, 1-2 Big West) at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. The Matadors will take on the Wahine in a three-game series starting on Friday, Mar. 22, at 9 p.m. PT and have a double header slated for Saturday, Mar. 23, beginning at 5 p.m. PT.Â
Tune in on @CSUNSoftball on Twitter for in-game updates. All games will have live stats. The link will be available on GoMatadors.com.
LAST IN THE BATTER'S BOX
Game One
Cal Poly took the first game with a 2-1 win. The Mustangs came in swinging as they were first to get on the board with a double to bring in one run. The Matadors tried to even the score but were unable to before Cal Poly increased its lead in the top of the third inning. The Mustangs scored again with a sacrifice fly to center field to bring the score to 2-0. The Matadors held strong through the remainder of the inning and the entire fourth, but Cal Poly would send the balls flying again at the top of the fifth inning with a single to bring its lead to 3-0. Sanchez would return the favor in the bottom of the fifth inning as she sent the ball flying out of the field for her first home run. She would also bring in Raegan Jackson to bring the Matadors to within 3-2. CSUN continued to battle but were unable to get another hit as Cal Poly took the game.Â
Game Two
The Matador and Mustang pitching both started strong as neither team scored through the first two innings. Cal Poly would be the first to break through in the top of the third inning by capitalizing on CSUN's error. The Mustangs took an early lead of 2-0. The Matadors returned the favor in the bottom of the fifth when they evened the score. Mikayla Carman started the rally with a triple into right field to bring in Shaylan Whatman. Carman herself then ran in on a wild pitch to even the score at 2-2. CSUN and Cal Poly held strong as neither team overcame the other through the sixth inning, but the Mustangs pushed through in the top of the seventh with one more run on a Kiara Blanchard RBI single to claim the game at 3-2.
Game ThreeÂ
The Matadors' and Mustangs' pitching staff started strong as neither team gave up a run in the first two innings. Cal Poly built a bit of momentum with runners on base in the top of the second inning, but Vinessa Nunez shut the Mustangs down with a jumping catch to close the half. CSUN then threatened to score as Landeros and Makenzie San Pedro both made it on base in the bottom of the second but were unable to make it home. The Mustangs were the first to score as a sacrifice fly out to center field brought in a run. The Matadors threatened once more at the bottom of the fourth as Landeros reached base again, but CSUN couldn't bring her in. Isabella Alonso kept control, holding the Mustangs to one run through the fifth inning to give CSUN a chance to catch up.Â
The Matadors continued to fight in the bottom of the fifth as Nunez made it to first on a Mustang error. However, CSUN lost a base runner when Kennedy Gustin was ruled for leaving too early. One hit by pitch, a single by Sanchez, a walk for Mikayla Carman, and the Matadors had the bases loaded. Kaylee Escutia stepped up to bat next but was unable to bring anyone in as she was the third out. Both pitchers held strong as the score stayed the same through the sixth inning. Cal Poly scored again in the top of the seventh as the Matadors gave up a run with a walk with the bases loaded. It would be the most CSUN would allow as the half closed shortly after. The Matadors refused to fold as they threatened once more in the bottom of the seventh. Nunez made it on base once more as she capitalized on another Mustang throwing error. She was followed by a walk from Sanchez and a single from Carman. Jerzie Liana would have a chance with the bases loaded, but she grounded into a fielder's choice for the final out of the inning as Cal Poly took its third win.
ABOUT HAWAI'I
The Wahine are coming off a 9-0 loss in five innings against Santa Barbara as the Gauchos took the three-game series 2-1. Hawai'i adds five freshmen to its roster. Senior Haley Johnson has a batting average of .328 and leads the team with 22 hits. Senior Maya Nakamura leads the team in RBI (16) and in runs with 16. Senior Mya'Liah Bethea leads the team in home runs with 10. Junior pitcher Addison Kostrencich has pitched for 53.1 innings. She has 14 strikeouts and has allowed 75 hits with 44 runs. Head coach Bob Coolen is in his 38th season at the helm. Hawai'i leads series history with 24 wins, 20 losses, and one tie. The last time the Matadors faced the Wahine was in 2023 when CSUN won 2-1 at Matador Diamond.
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