FULLERTON, Calif.— Cal State Fullerton's softball team snapped its two-game losing streak behind Paige Kisling's bases loaded RBI-single to edge Loyola (IL), 3-2, at Anderson Family Field on Tuesday evening.
In a game that featured three Titans pitchers, Fullerton struck for two runs in the bottom half of the seventh inning to clinch its second walk-off win of the season and first since facing George Washington on Feb. 9 in Fullerton, Calif.
Jasmine Antunez (6-4) tossed 2/3 of an inning in the top half of the seventh to hold the Ramblers in check down the stretch as Kisling and company produced two runs on two hits in the bottom half to pull through in dramatic fashion. Sophomore Kisling batted 1-for-3 on the evening, her lone hit being the deciding factor.
Starter Monique Wesley tossed 4 and 1/3 innings of four-hit ball, yielding one unearned run to go along with one strikeout. Freshman Christina Washington contributed in relief of Wesley, pitching two innings, surrendering one run while fanning two Ramblers.
The Ramblers began their rally in the seventh with a base on balls by Erica Nagel. First baseman Brie Pasquale singled to right center on a 2-2 pitch as Nagel advanced from first to third. Infielder Jessica Balzano later followed with a deep sacrifice fly to center to break the tie, 3-2, in the final frame.
The Titans had quite the response in the bottom half of the inning. Catcher Ariel Tsuchiyama drew a five-pitch walk to lead off the rally while senior Gabby Aragon was hit by a pitch from Loyola (IL)'s Brittany Gardner (4-5) to place two runners on. Freshman Melissa Sechrest looped her second double of the season down the left field line to score pinch runner Jena Rubio, notching the game up at 2 apiece. Following another walk surrendered by Gardner, outfielder Kisling floated a 1-2 pitch over the shortstop's head to drive in the game winning RBI with the bases-loaded.
Loyola (IL) starter Brittany Gardner (4-5) tossed 6 and 2/3 innings yielding eight walks and two earned runs while striking out four Titans in the loss.
The Titans continue their home stand this week hosting Grand Canyon on Wednesday followed by the Judi Garman Classic. CSF has a full slate of five games in the prestigious tournament, facing San Jose State on Thursday, Fresno State on Friday, and two games on Saturday against Nebraska and Arizona, and concluding with competition against Wisconsin on Sunday. All Fullerton games will be played at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, Calif.
Game Notes: Nagel was the only player from both teams to record a multi-hit performance, batting 2-for-2 on the evening…Antunez picked up her team-high sixth win of 2014 after tossing 2/3 of an inning…Three Titans pitchers (Wesley, Washington, Antunez) surrendered less walks combined (3) than Nagel (8)…Tonight's walk-off was the second of the season for the Titans, last occurring on Feb. 9 versus George Washington…CSF now sports an 8-2 record at Anderson Family Field.