California State University at Northridge
Cal State Fullerton
CSUN Hosts Cal State Fullerton
4/4/2024 6:07:00 PM | Softball
Game Notes
STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE
CSUN (17-15, 1-8 Big West) returns home this weekend to play Cal State Fullerton (22-12, 8-1 Big West) in Matador Diamond. The Matadors will then host the Titans in a double header on Saturday, April 6, beginning at 1 p.m. CSUN will then wrap up the three-game series on Sunday, April 7, at 1 p.m.
Tune in on ESPN for the live stream for Saturday's games and on @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
Game One
Long Beach State took the first game in Friday's double header with a final score of 4-3. The Matadors' and Beach's defense started strong as both teams didn't allow a single run in the first inning. Long Beach threatened to score with two runners on in the bottom of the second, but the Matadors shut down the threat with a double play. Both teams continued to battle, but remained scoreless through the fourth inning. The Beach didn't fold as they found an opening at the bottom of the fifth and scored two runs off a single and a throwing error.Â
CSUN was quick to respond as Lulu Sanchez hit a single to bring in Kaylee Escutia. The Matadors kept their momentum going as Maddie Padilla hit a double to bring in Kennedy Gustin and tie the game at 2-2. CSUN then took the lead at the top of the seventh as Escutia brought Shaylan Whatman home after grounding out. The Beach answered in the bottom half of the inning with a triple into right center and an interference error to take the game.
Game Two
CSUN came back and took the second game 7-3 to split the day. The Matadors returned with a vengeance as Isabella Alonso stepped into the circle and set the Beach down in order in the first. Whatman gave CSUN an early 3-0 lead at the top of the second inning as she hit a home run into right field to bring in Gustin and Kylie Galindo. The Beach fired back with a single run at the bottom of the third, but Alonso stayed calm in the circle and didn't allow another run in the inning. The Matadors answered quickly at the top of the fourth inning as Whatman hit a single to bring in Mackenzie Kila. Mikayla Carman followed with a double to bring Whatman home as the fourth inning closed with CSUN leading 5-1.
The Beach tried to hold on defensively in the sixth inning, but Sydney Freijanes found an opening to bring in another run. The Beach responded with two runs off a single to climb back to within 5-3 before the Matadors would hold Long Beach scoreless the rest of the way. The Matadors didn't flinch as Whatman sealed the win with another home run to take the game 7-3.Â
Game ThreeÂ
Both teams returned Tuesday as Beach took the series with a 2-1 win. The Matadors' and Beach's defense started strong as both teams didn't allow a single run in the first four innings. Both threatened to score through the first two innings as they each got runners on base, but neither team made it home. In the third inning, Isabella Alonso got three batters out in a row. The Matadors were the first to find an opening as Liana hit a home run into left field to give CSUN the lead at 1-0. The Beach was quick to respond as they hit their own home run to even the score at 1-1. Alonso kept Long Beach's offense from scoring as she sent three batters packing once more. The Beach wouldn't stay down long as a double in the bottom of the seventh would bring in a runner to take the game.
ABOUT CAL STATE FULLERTON
The Titans are coming off a 3-1 win to complete their sweep of UC Riverside. Cal State Fullerton adds seven freshmen to its roster. Senior Megan Delgadillo has a batting average of .461 and leads the team in runs (34) and hits (53). Senior Jessi Alcala leads in RBIs with 25. Junior pitcher Haley Rainey has pitched for 105.2 innings. She has gathered 94 strikeouts and has allowed 81 hits with 32 runs. Head coach Kelly Ford is in her 12 season at the helm. Cal State Fullerton leads series history with 81 wins, 38 losses, and one tie. The last time the Matadors faced the Titans was in 2023 when CSUN took the series 2-1.
#GoMatadors
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