CSUN Sweeps UC Riverside in Doubleheader, Improves to 8-2 in Big West Play

CSUN Sweeps UC Riverside in Doubleheader, Improves to 8-2 in Big West Play

RIVERSIDE, Calif --- CSUN Softball swept a doubleheader against UC Riverside on Friday at Amy S. Harrison Softball Field. The Matadors won 6-4 in game one on the heels of three home runs. CSUN then took game two in a pitcher's duel, 2-1. Tiara Westbrook, Jadyn Nielsen, and Reagan Jackson all notched homers in game one. In game two, pitcher Isabella Alonso shut down the Highlander's offense, allowing only one run on three hits.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One

MIkayla Carman reached on a fielding error to kick off the ball game. Nielsen was then hit by a pitch to put two runners on and nobody out for the Matadors. Westbrook then came up to the plate ready to do some damage. And she would. Westbrook launched a ball over the centerfield wall to give the Matadors an early 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Lauryn Carranco did her work early on as she didn't allow a hit in the first two innings.

Flash forward to the top of the third, Jadyn Nielsen sent a ball over the right field wall to give CSUN a 4-0 lead. It would be the first time this season that the Matadors had multiple home runs in a game, and they got it done in the game's first three innings.

Carranco continued keeping hitters at bay. Through the game's first five innings, she only allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out one as well. She pitched to contact and it was effective,

Now to the sixth inning, Jerzie Liana doubled down the right field line to start the inning. She advanced to third on a groundout. She would also end up scoring on a wild pitch to make it 5-0.

In the bottom of the sixth the Highlanders finally got some offense going. Jackie Alday doubled to right center with two out. The next batter, Rebeca Cabezas then singled up the middle as Alday advanced to third. However, CSUN's star pitcher got out of the jam. The next to batters popped out to shortstop and flied out to left field, respectively.

In the top of the seventh, CSUN continued its home run barrage. This time it was Jackson. She hit one past the fence in left field to give the Matadors a 6-0 lead headed into the last half.

The Highlanders wouldn't go down without a fight. After a single, a runner reached on a fielder's choice and a hit by pitch the bases were loaded for Alday. She promptly unloaded on a pitch to left field to hit a grand slam, making it 6-4. This was done with the Highlanders down to their final out. The next two batters reached on singles as UCR threatened to make a great comeback, however it wasn't in the cards. The last batter flew out to left field to end the game as CSUN got the win.

Game Two

UC Riverside got on the board first. After Cabezas reached on an error, Haley Saole doubled as Cabezas scored. 1-0 UCR lead at the end of one.

It would remain 1-0 until the top of the third inning. In the third, with two outs, Jackson singled up the middle to get a rally going. Carman then swiftly doubled down the left field line, with just enough room to score Jackson to tie the game up. Nielsen, the next batter, singled to second base. Carman scored to give the Matadors a 2-1 lead.

From the second to the sixth inning, Alonso stifled the offense, only allowing two hits and keeping the score at 2-1.

It came down to the seventh inning with the Highlanders down one. Alonso continued her great pitching. She retired three out of the four batters faced and shut down the Highlanders, giving CSUN the sweep.

NEWS AND NOTES

With the pair of wins, CSUN is now 15-15 and 8-2 in Big West play to top the conference.
The Matadors hit the most home runs (3) than any other game this season.
Westbrook hit her third home run on the year, most on the team
Carranco has now competed 12 games pitched, most on the team.
Carranco's ERA has dropped to 2.63
Nielsen's batting average is now .396, good enough for third on the team.
CSUN has yet to lose a Big West series so far this season.

ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH CHARLOTTE MORGAN
"Today was a good day, it wasn't clean by any means but I am proud that they were able to get some key wins. Tiara had a good day, both of our pitchers did an awesome job of keeping us in there. We had different people stepping up, being able to use the lineup to set us up to have good wins. I am really proud of our players buying into our philosophy. Proud of doing the things we needed to do to pull out the wins."

UP NEXT
CSUN will complete the series against the UC Riverside Highlanders on Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. The game will be livestreamed on ESPN+.

CSUN Sweeps UC Riverside in Doubleheader, Improves to 8-2 in Big West Play

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Team Stats

Jadyn Nielsen

Tiara Westbrook

Rhea Furtado

Jerzie Liana

Players Mentioned

Isabella Alonso

Lauryn Carranco

Jerzie Liana

Jadyn Nielsen

Tiara Westbrook

Players Mentioned

Isabella Alonso

Lauryn Carranco

Jerzie Liana

Jadyn Nielsen

Tiara Westbrook