California State University at Northridge
UC Davis
CSUN Hits the Road to Take on UC Davis
4/8/2024 6:09:00 PM | Softball
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STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE
CSUN (18-17, 2-10 Big West) hits the road this weekend to take on UC Davis (12-21, 3-9 Big West) at La Rue Field. The three-game series will open with a double header beginning on Friday, Apr. 12, at 1 p.m. The Matadors and Aggies will wrap the series up on Saturday, Apr. 13, at 12 p.m.
Tune in on ESPN+ 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
CSUN fell in game one on Saturday afternoon in a 6-2 loss. Isabella Alonso started strong as she got three batters out in a row at the top of the first inning. CSUN's offense continued just as strong as both Lulu Sanchez and Mikayla Carman got on base, but neither were able to make it home. Both teams wouldn't be able to score until the top of the third inning when the Titans broke through the Matadors' defense with a single to bring in a base runner. Cal State Fullerton would continue its momentum with a triple and another single to bring in three more runners, raising the Titans' lead to 4-0 before the top of the third closed.
The Matadors tried to return the favor with a single but were unable to bring in a run. Cal State Fullerton found another opening in the top of the fourth inning to crack open the game with another triple. The Titans' lead climbed to 6-0. Alexa Ortiz stepped into the circle at the top of the fifth and prevented the Titans from scoring another run through the rest of the game. In the bottom of the sixth, the Matadors found an opening in the Titans' defense as Mia Cortez hit a triple to bring in Kennedy Gustin. Cortez then ran in to score on a wild pitch. The pair raised the score to 6-2, but the late rally would fall short as Cal State Fullerton took the first game.
Game Two
The Matadors didn't fold as they took the second game with a 3-1 victory. Cal State Fullerton returned with a vengeance as the Titans scored a run in the top of the first inning on a throwing error. It would be the only run Lauryn Carranco would give up though as the Matadors shut down the Titans with a double play to close the first. The Matadors and Titans would continue to fight, but both sides' defense held strong as neither team broke through until the bottom of the sixth inning. CSUN loaded the bases with two outs before Jerzie Liana hit a double to bring in Carman, Gustin, and Kaylee Escutia. The clutch hit pulled CSUN ahead with a score of 3-1. The Titans threatened to take the lead back by loading the bases and two outs, but the Matadors kept their cool as they got the next two outs without giving up any more runs to take the game.
Game ThreeÂ
The Matadors fell to Cal State Fullerton, 2-1 on Sunday afternoon after 12 innings at Matador Diamond. Alonso stepped into the circle first and immediately sent the three Fullerton hitters down in a row. The Matadors got going offensively as Escutia sent the ball flying into right field for a double to bring in Carman, as CSUN closed the first inning with a 1-0 lead. The Titans wouldn't stay down for long as a bunt would bring in a run and tie the game at 1-1 at the top of the second inning. The Matadors tried to strike back as Liana hit a double to reach second, but CSUN was unable to bring her home. Alonso was also solid defensively in the top of the third, as she retired all three Titans.Â
Carranco stepped into the circle next as she also retired Fullerton on order in the top of the fourth inning. Sanchez would come in next with a single sent flying down the right field line, but the Matadors were unable to bring her home. The Titans threatened at the top of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth inning with base runners in each inning, but CSUN prevented the Titans from scoring. The Matadors stayed strong as the game headed into extra innings. Carranco quickly shut down the top of the ninth as the Titans left another runner on base. The Matadors would give the Titans a scare as Raegan Jackson and Makenzie San Pedro both reached base, but neither were able to make it home.Â
In the 10th inning, Carranco didn't fold as she retired three batters in a row yet again. CSUN didn't give up as Shaylan Whatman made it base at the bottom of the inning. Carman got a timely hit into right field, but the Titans managed to throw out Whatman out at home to keep the game tied. Alonso stepped into the circle once more as a reliever in the top of the 11th inning. The Titans had bases loaded and two outs, but the Matadors shut them down with a force out at second. The Titans would finally find an opening at the top of the 12th inning with a single to bring a runner home and take the lead at 2-1. The Matadors tried to even the game as both Gizella Vargas Sandoval and Whatman made it to base, but the Titans wound up winning the game by the 2-1 final.Â
ABOUT UC DAVIS
The Aggies are coming off a 4-0 loss and a series sweep to UC Riverside. UC Davis has added four freshmen to its roster this season. Senior Anna Dethlefson leads the Aggies in batting average (.304), runs (29), and hits (31). Senior Sarah Starks leads in home runs with three and in RBIs with 15. Senior Kenedi Brown has pitched 98.1 innings and gathered 84 strikeouts while holding a 2.78 ERA. Head coach Erin Thorpe is in her 10th season at the helm. CSUN leads series history with 40 wins and 23 losses. The last time the Matadors faced the Aggies was in 2023 when CSUN lost the series 2-1 at Matador Diamond.Â
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