FULLERTON, Calif. — The Cal State Fullerton softball team surrendered two defeats on the final day of the Titan Classic, concluding the tournament with a 2-2 record after losing decisions to Texas Tech, 13-6, and DePaul, 5-2, at Anderson Family Field on Saturday.
After being swept to finish the Titan Classic, Cal State Fullerton drops to 17-12 on the season, while Texas Tech moves to 22-6 and DePaul climbs to 16-6.
GAME ONE: Texas Tech 13, Cal State Fullerton 6
Texas Tech was on the board early, striking for four runs on five hits in the opening frame to begin the rout. TTU starter Brittany Talley (8-0) chalked up her eight win while Cara Custer tossed three innings of relief to pick up her second save of the season.
Talley pitched four innings of five-hit ball, yielding four runs while fanning two Titans. Custer provided solid support for the Red Raiders, tossing three innings while holding Fullerton to only two unearned runs the rest of the way.
Center fielder Syndi Emanuel led off the game with a sharp single into left field, later followed by another single off the bat of designated player Cassie McClure. With two runners on, infielder Lea Hopson lifted a 1-0 pitch over the left field wall off of Fullerton starter Christina Washington (2-2) placing the Titans in an early 4-0 hole.
Texas Tech would tally another five runs in the fourth inning off of three hits to deliver the final blow.
Freshman Washington lasted 4 and 1/3 innings while surrendering eight runs off 11 hits, while fanning three Red Raiders.
Jasmine Antunez later followed in the circle for the Titans, quickly roughed up for five more runs over the final 2 and 2/3 innings. Antunez and Washington combined to allow six walks while the 15 hits produced by the Red Raiders was the most given up in any single game this year.
Sophomore Missy Taukeiaho launched her team-high ninth homer in the bottom of the first after fouling off two pitches. Taukeiaho batted 1-for-2 while scoring her 25th run of the season for Fullerton.
Titans senior Leesa Harris had another strong showing at the plate, producing a 3-for-3 outing including her second double of 2014. Outfielder Paige Kisling chipped in a career-high two RBI on a looping single to left center.
GAME TWO: DePaul 5, Cal State Fullerton 2
DePaul constructed a late three-run sixth inning to pull away from Fullerton in the final game of the Titan Classic. Starter Kirsten Verdun (2-2) tossed a complete game gem, yielding two runs on six hits. Verdun fanned nine Titans on the night en route to her second victory of the season.
Fullerton starter Monique Wesley (2-2) was the hard luck loser of the contest, tossing a full seven innings to go along with four strikeouts while surrendering five runs.
DePaul's Allie Braden led off the deciding sixth inning with a double to right center field. Braden concluded the evening batting 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Outfielder Dylan Christensen drew a walk after an eight pitch at bat, while Morgan Maize immediately drew another base on balls. Catcher Kali Gardner manufactured the third consecutive walk of the inning, scoring Braden. First baseman Nicole Pihl provided a two-run single down the right field line to put the Blue Demons up for good.
Fullerton infielder Samantha Galarza launched her third round-tripper of the season in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the rally was cut short after Harris struck out swinging to end the frame.
Melissa Sechrest struck her second homer of the year off a 2-1 pitch, finishing 1-for-3. The freshman tandem of Sydney Colenzo and Gabrielle Rodas produced a double apiece, first of their careers respectively.
Following the conclusion of the Titan Classic tournament, Fullerton will compete with Canisius on Monday (6 p.m.) at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, Calif.