Game One Box Score (PDF) – CSUN 4, CSF 3
Game Two Box Score (PDF) – CSF 9, CSUN 1
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton (34-22, 12-9) softball team split a doubleheader to clinch the series with Big West foe CSUN (41-15, 16-5) behind a convincing run-rule victory in the final game of the regular season, 9-1 in six innings, while CSUN's Ariana Wassmer provided a go-ahead two-run single in game one of the twin bill for a 4-3 decision at Anderson Family Field on Saturday.
Cal State Fullerton will wait to see if it's in the field of 64 as the NCAA postseason bracket will be released Sunday on ESPNU at 7 p.m. PT
GAME TWO: Cal State Fullerton 9, CSUN 1
Cal State Fullerton concluded the regular season with a strong glimpse of the future as freshman Samantha Vandiver extended her team-high hitting streak to 13 games following a 3-for-4 and three RBIs effort to clinch the series over the Matadors.
Trailing 1-0 after the Titans yielded an opening inning run on a wild pitch, the offense tallied six runs over the next two frames to take control of the rubber match. In the second frame, it was the Fullerton offense that took advantage of a wild pitch to score a run, while an RBI single from Vandiver gave the Titans a 2-1 lead that would not be surrendered.
Fullerton tacked on another four runs in the third with an RBI triple from freshman Shianne Brannan, the first of her Titan career, followed by a two-run single by Vandiver. Another unearned run via throwing error by CSUN pitcher Pofek made it a commanding 6-1 advantage.
Cal State Fullerton's offense continued the pressure with RBI doubles from Samantha Galarza and Courtney Rodriguez in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, before Fullerton, Calif. native Gabrielle Rodas capped off the game with an RBI single in the sixth to make the deficit eight runs to seal the victory in run-rule fashion.
Jasmine Antunez (5-7) picked up the victory for the Titans after tossing six innings of shutout relief, scattering four hits and striking out five. Fullerton starter Christina Washington registered the opening inning of work, giving up one run on four hits.
Joining Vandiver on the multi-performances was Shianne Brannan (2-for-3), Galarza (3-for-4), Rodriguez (2-for-3) and Taukeiaho (2-for-3).
CSUN pitching was tagged for 14 hits, seven of which were given up by starter Zoe Conley (19-5) who suffered only her fifth loss of the year. The freshman right-hander served up five runs (three earned) on seven hits.
GAME ONE: CSUN 4, Cal State Fullerton 3
CSUN's Ariana Wassmer provided the go-ahead two-run single in the seventh to clinch the outright Big West Conference title for the Matadors in game two of the series.
Fullerton reliever Desiree Ybarra (11-7) ran into immediate trouble in the seventh as CSUN collected back-to-back hits from Carissa Sherman and Taylor Glover to begin the decisive seventh. The Titans' coaching staff chose to intentionally walk Katie Hooper, who homered in yesterday's series opener, to load the bases. Fullerton notched a pair of quick outs after second baseman Samantha Galarza fielded a line-out and turned to first for a double play. After the second intentional walk of the inning, Wassmer put the Matadors in front for good with a single to give CSUN the lead.
Brianna Elder (18-6) picked up the victory for the Matadors after two innings of relief, allowing one unearned run and one hit. CSUN starter Zoe Conley turned in the opening five frames, yielding two runs while scattering six hits.
With Fullerton clinging to a 1-0 lead off a solo home run by Missy Taukeiaho in the opening inning, both offenses woke up in the sixth. CSUN grabbed a 2-1 lead off a two-run homer by Maylynn Mitchell in the top half before the Titans responded with a pinch hit RBI single from Lexi Gonzalez, while a second run came across on a throwing error by CSUN second baseman Savannah Horvath.
Cal State Fullerton's Cerissa Rivera was given the nod to start, tossing an exceptional six innings of work, surrendering only two runs on six hits. The right-hander from Westminster, Calif. walked two and fanned four. Ybarra suffered the loss after giving up two runs on three hits.
Game Notes: Cal State Fullerton seniors Eliza Crawford, Samantha Galarza and Emily Vizcarra participated in their final games for the Titans.
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