Box Score (PDF)
Updated Easton Schedule (PDF)
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton softball team dropped their first complete game of the season on Saturday night to Utah State at Anderson Family Field, 7-3, on day two of the Easton Invitational.
With the defeat, Fullerton falls to 0-1 on the season and Utah State moves to 4-0 so far this year with each win coming in the past two days.
Utah State took advantage of a slow start from Titan pitcher Trisha Parks who made her first start in a Fullerton uniform after transferring from Arizona. Parks struggled to find her command in the first inning as she hit Brina Buttacavoli and walked Sydney Hart with the bases loaded, giving the Aggies a 3-0 advantage after one.
Titan Kelsey Kessler made her first appearance as well when she relieved Parks after just two outs in the first inning. The redshirt-senior made an immediate impact once she took the mound by shutting down Utah State over the next three innings to keep the Titans in it.
After stranding a few runners in the first two innings, Fullerton found some two-out magic in the third as Samantha Vandiver singled to left and Parks got hit by a pitch to put two runners on for the Titans.
Senior Lexi Gonzalez stepped up to the plate and put a ball in play to third where everyone was safe after a poor throw to second. Vandiver took advantage of it by turning the corner at third and crossing home plate to give the Titans their first run of the season.
Another underclassman made a big play as freshman Zoe Richard knocked in another run for Fullerton in the third to cut the Aggie lead to 3-2.
However, Utah State finally got to Kessler in the later stages of the game as a couple RBI triples and sacrifice fly in the fifth and six inning lifted the Aggies to a 6-3 lead.
Freshman pitcher Sophie Frost made her Titan debut in the seventh inning and looked impressive as she struck out two Aggies, but would surrender an unearned run, giving Utah St. a 7-2 edge going into the bottom half.
Down four runs, Fullerton made a late two-out rally in the seventh with back-to-back doubles from Parks and Gonzalez to put the Aggie lead at 7-3. Richard followed Gonzalez' double with a walk and the Titans had the game-tying run in the on-deck circle, but couldn't get her to the plate as the Aggies took advantage of the force at third with a fielder's choice from Kenzie Grimes to end it.
Fullerton finished the night with eight hits, three runs, one error and a stolen base, which came from freshman Kelsie Whitmore who pinch-ran for Richard in the third.
The Titans go back to work tomorrow in the final day of the Easton Invitational by taking on North Dakota State at 10 a.m. PT. Fullerton will also finish the remainder of the postponed game against Pacific on Friday following its game against the Bison before battling the Tigers in its originally scheduled game on Sunday as well.
THE PERFECT 10 - GET 10 SOFTBALL TICKETS FOR $60!
Tickets come as vouchers and can be used all at one game, 10 games, the choice is yours!
Tickets are good for all games and tournaments excluding the Judi Garman Classic
For more information contact the Titans Ticket Office at 657-278-2783
FOLLOW THE TITANS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titan Athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook/FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans) Instagram (FullertonTitans) and Snapchat (FullertonTitans). In addition, the softball team has established its own Twitter (@CSUFSoftball), Facebook (Cal State Fullerton Titan Softball) and Instagram accounts (@CSUFSoftball).