FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton softball team surrendered a four-run advantage in a back and forth game among four lead changes to fall just short against Iowa, 12-11, at Anderson Family Field on Saturday evening in day three of the Judi Garman Classic.
Iowa (7-14) used a six-run fourth inning to erase a four-run deficit, lose the lead on two more occasions, and finally thwart a final rally by Cal State Fullerton (14-11) in the final frame to scratch out the win.
The Hawkeyes tallied three home runs on the evening, with the game-winner coming off the bat of Sammi Gyerman, who blasted her second of the game to leadoff the seventh inning to provide a crucial insurance run. Gyerman (3-for-5) was one of four Hawkeyes to record a three-hit game, collecting game-highs with four RBIs and three runs scored. Claire Fritsch (4-for-5), Cheyenne Pratt (3-for-5) and Allie Wood (3-for-5) combined for 10 of the 19 Hawkeyes' base hits.
After losing the early lead, the Titans had one last chance in the bottom of the seventh. Freshman Samantha Vandiver led off the inning with her third hit of the game, singling to center. CSF junior Courtney Rodriguez grounded out, but Vandiver was able to reach second on the play. With one out, Delynn Rippy used her speed to leg out an infield single to the pitcher, Shayla Starkenburg (5-8), which placed runners on the corners. Trailing 12-10, reigning Big West Softball Player of the Year Missy Taukeiaho pulled a ball to deep left center, but was caught on the warning track to produce a sacrifice fly, and not the walk-off homer that Fullerton was hoping for. Sarah Moore struck out looking to end the hard fought battle.
Starkenburg tossed the final four innings in relief, limiting the Titans to three runs on five hits which proved to be just enough to notch her fifth win on the season. Iowa's Ashley Yoways was given the nod to start in the circle, but was quickly tagged for six earned runs on eight hits over three frames.
Fullerton opened up the scoring in the second inning beginning with a one out walk from catcher Kylie Padilla. Freshman Brooke Clemetson replaced Padilla as a pinch runner and advanced first to third on a solid single by fellow rookie Shianne Brannan to right center. Vandiver reached base on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on a fielding error by the Hawkeyes' second baseman, with Clemetson scoring on the hectic play. Rodriguez grounded out, but Brannan skipped home to tally the Titans' second run of the inning. An RBI single by Rippy, later followed by a two-run double from Taukeiaho capped off the four-run second inning.
Vandiver (3-for-4) drove in one en route to scoring a career-high four times. Rippy (2-for-4) scored twice and collected a pair of RBIs. Taukeiaho turned in a 2-for-3 performance, recording three RBIs.
Fullerton's pitching staff struggled as a unit, with starter Christina Washington being tagged for six earned runs on seven hits in three and 2/3 innings. Junior left-hander Desiree Ybarra (6-6) entered in relief, but was also ineffective over three innings of work, yielding another four earned runs on nine hits to take the loss. Jasmine Antunez also made a brief appearance in the seventh inning, retiring the only batter she faced on a deep fly out to the center field warning track.
The Titans will conclude the Judi Garman Classic tomorrow hosting San Diego State (13-8) tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, Calif.
Game Notes: The Titans set a single-tournament record for attendance at Anderson Family Field with 2,286 fans attending today's action while breaking the previous mark of 2,096 vs. Fresno State (3/21/08 - Judi Garman Classic)...CSF is now 1-5 in the all-time series against the Hawkeyes including four straight losses at home…The Titans are 5-2 on Saturday's and 7-5 at home...Vandiver extended her hitting streak to a team-high ninth game…Taukeiaho carded her second and third doubles of the season and team-high sixth multi-RBI game…The 19 Iowa hits was a season-high for any Titans' opponent…After being struck twice, CSF senior Eliza Crawford has now been hit by a pitch on a team-high 10 occasions…The four-run Titans' advantage was the largest lead blown in any single game this season… Rippy and Taukeiaho have now reached base for a sixth straight game, respectively.
JUDI GARMAN PARKING INFORMATION:
With a full slate of Fullerton home events including a three-game baseball series and men's basketball senior night, the parking for this weekend's Judi Garman Classic is allocated to Dumbo Downs (or lot D), and the lots adjacent to the Children's Center. Please note that parking in this area will also place you nearest to the softball entrance to the sports complex, while other entrances will be designated for baseball only. CSUF Campus Map
