SAN DIEGO – The Cal State Fullerton (9-7) softball team suffered its first walk-off loss of the season to San Diego (8-7), 3-2, at the USD Softball Complex on Wednesday evening.
Catcher Mary Grabowski came off the bench as a pinch hitter with the bases-loaded to deliver the decisive blow with a two-run double down the left field line to steal the victory. Managing just three hits entering the final inning, San Diego strung together four hits and brought across three runs off Fullerton starter Desiree Ybarra (4-3).
USD's Paige von Sprecken began the rally by drawing a walk to lead off the seventh frame. Consecutive singles by Kailey Hill and Tatum Schultz loaded the bases. San Diego outfielder Olivia Sandusky struck for a blooper into right center, scoring von Sprecken and cutting the Titans' lead quickly in half to 2-1. Grabowski capped off the barrage with the double to left to seal Cal State Fullerton's heartbreak loss.
Von Sprecken (7-1) went the distance, tossing all seven frames yielding two runs on six hits. The right-hander stranded six runners on base to limit the potent Fullerton offense.
Ybarra cruised through the first six innings, but was the hard luck loser in the old fashioned pitcher's duel, failing to record an out in the seventh while surrendering three runs on seven hits to the Toreros.
On a cold evening in San Diego, the Fullerton bats were finally able to breakthrough in the sixth following a two-run double off the bat of Eliza Crawford. With Crawford advancing to third on the throw, the Titans stranded her on the base paths with one out as Kylie Padilla struck out and pinch hitter Lexi Gonzalez grounded out to end the threat.
Crawford batted 1-for-2 with two RBIs. University of Arizona transfer Courtney Rodriguez turned in a 2-for-4 performance and sophomore Delynn Rippy logged a 3-for-4 effort while scoring one run.
Cal State Fullerton will now co-host the Louisville Slugger Tournament with Long Beach State, beginning with a 4 p.m., match up against Wichita State at a neutral site in Lakewood, Calif., at Mayfair Park.
Game Notes: The Titans continue to have an 8-2 advantage in the all-time series with the Toreros …CSF is now 0-1 in Wednesday games, this being the first mid-week contest of the season...Rippy collected the first three-hit game of her career…Rodriguez extended her hitting streak to a team-high six games…With a walk, Taukeiaho has now reached base for a team-high 14th consecutive contest…Freshman Samantha Vandiver made her first plate appearance in her Titans' career, grounding out in the top half of the seventh inning.