PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton softball team suffered a 2-1 loss to No. 23 Texas A&M behind a complete game from the Aggies' Rachel Fox in the Mary Nutter Classic at the Big League Dreams Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Fox (6-3) and Fullerton starter Desiree Ybarra (2-2) battled to an old fashioned pitching duel for the majority of the contest, but a crucial two base error led to the go-ahead run in the sixth frame to steal the victory and hand the Titans their fourth consecutive loss and third straight to open the Mary Nutter Classic.
Oregon State transfer Kylie Padilla was an intricate piece of both the Fullerton (7-6) rally in the top of the sixth, and the Texas A&M (10-4) response in the bottom of the inning. Already failing to score with the bases loaded on three occasions, the Titans staged another threat with a pair of singles by Delynn Rippy and Courtney Rodriguez, later followed by Missy Taukeiaho's fourth walk of the game to bring up Padilla. With two outs, Padilla roped an infield single to tie the game.
The Aggies immediately brought the pressure in the bottom of the frame as junior Alex Masek beat out a bunt to reach base. With two outs, Masek broke for second and Padilla's throw from the catcher position struck Masek as she reached the bag. The ball rolled into left center and Masek scooted home to put the Aggies up for good.
Fox navigated through seven innings, yielding one run on eight hits. The right handed senior dodged trouble all afternoon, issuing five walks while Fullerton left 14 runners stranded on base. Ybarra matched Fox's performance, tossing six innings of four hit ball, giving up only one earned run and showed superior control with zero walks.
Padilla (1-for-2) drove in one run while drawing one walk. Taukeiaho earned a season-high four free passes from the leadoff position, scoring Fullerton's other run. Rodriguez (3-for-4) collected her team-high sixth multi-hit game and second three hit performance.
The Titans will wrap up competition at the Mary Nutter Classic tomorrow against Nevada (2:00 p.m.) and Oklahoma State (4:30 p.m.) in Palm Springs, Calif.
Game Notes: Missy Taukeiaho has now reached base for an 11th consecutive game…Fullerton suffered its first loss on Saturday's (4-1)…The Titans now have a 20-18 edge in the all-time series with the Aggies…Taukeiaho's four walks ties the program record, last accomplished by Kiki Munoz against Northwestern in 2006…the last time Fullerton lost four consecutive was in 2013 when the Titans dropped five straight…CSF has been outscored 29-3 during the losing streak.
