LAKEWOOD, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton (13-8) softball team manufactured six runs over the final three innings to hang on for a 6-3 decision over Portland State (5-10) at Mayfair Park in the final day of the Louisville Slugger Tournament co-hosted by Cal State Fullerton on Sunday afternoon in Lakewood, Calif.
After four innings of lack luster offense from both squads, it was the Titans' bats that finally awoke over the final three frames. CSF junior Samantha Galarza led off the fifth inning with a single into right field and was replaced by the speedy Brooke Clemetson as a pinch runner. Clemetson quickly stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from fellow freshman Shianne Brannan. With one out, Samantha Vandiver laid down a bunt that dropped dead on the first base line to bring home Clemetson and give Fullerton a 1-0 lead.
The Titans tacked on another three runs in the sixth inning capitalizing on three walks and one Portland State error. Head softball coach Kelly Ford was aggressive with runners on the base paths as the Titans swiped three bags in the frame, and a season-high six overall. The inning was capped off by an RBI single down the left field line from Vandiver, who recorded her second multi-hit game of the season after batting 2-for-2 with two RBIs.
Cal State Fullerton added another pair of runs in the seventh with an RBI single from Oregon State transfer Lexi Gonzalez (1-for-1) and an RBI double off the bat of freshman Bryanna Ybarra (1-for-3), logging the first hit of her career.
Fullerton starter Desiree Ybarra (5-4) was exceptional in the circle, tossing a combined five and 2/3 innings, scattering five hits without allowing a run. The Riverside, Calif., native showed superior control all afternoon by issuing zero walks. CSF sophomore Christina Washington turned in an inning of scoreless relief in the seventh.
The Vikings offense had one last rally with their backs against the wall in the final inning. CSF right-hander Jasmine Antunez came in to try and close the game, but was ineffective allowing three runs on two hits while recording just one out. Ybarra re-entered the contest and forced a pair of fielder's choices including a game ending runner's interference in which the Vikings' Celena Carrisosa collided with Fullerton shortstop Brannan, which was deemed an illegal play and resulted in being the final out.
Portland State's Meagan Hendrix (1-2) tossed five and 2/3 innings in the loss, issuing four costly walks and four runs on five hits. PSU's Karyn Wright carded the final one and 1/3 frames, yielding another two runs on four hits.
The Titans will return home to face No. 3 Michigan for a single-game tilt at 6 p.m. on Wednesday before hosting the four-day Judi Garman Classic from March 5-8 at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, Calif.
Game Notes: Twenty different Titans found themselves in the box score while six different student-athletes scored a run…Vandiver now holds a team-high five-game hitting streak…CSF sophomore Delynn Rippy (2-for-4) collected her seventh multi-hit game of the season…Rippy and Rodas stole two bases each…B. Ybarra carded the first start of her career playing third base…The Titans now have a 5-2 advantage in the all-time series with Portland State, snapping a two-game skid to the Vikings…CSF is 3-2 on Sunday's and 7-5 in neutral games...Fullerton is now 8-2 when the offense manages to score first.
