Fullerton, Calif. - The Titans clinched the 2017 Big West Championship Title this Saturday afternoon at the Anderson Family Field. Cal State Fullerton swept their final home series against CSUN for the title.
With the pair of wins over the Matadors, the Titan increase their overall record 32-19, and 15-3 in the Big West. CSUN falls to 29-21 and 9-9 in conference play.
Lexi Gonzalez shined in both games by smashing two home runs, scoring four times, while driving in three.
Game One
In game one of the doubleheader, the Titans opened the action in the top of the second inning when Lexi Gonzalez and Shianne Brannan had back-to-back home runs to take the lead 2-0.
The Matadors responded in the top of the fourth with a two-run home run to tie the game.
In the fifth inning, the Titans amped up the momentum with two singles from Sydney Colenzo and Samantha Vandiver. Then both runners were batted in by Ariana Williams. Lexi Gonzalez was next on base with a walk, and was batted in from Shianne Brannan's base hit. In the end, Mikaela Francis' RBI single extended the lead 6-2.
Kelsey Kessler earned her nineteenth win by only allowing three hits to the Matadors and had four strikeouts. Taylor Troost took her eighth loss by allowing four runs on six hits in three innings.
Game Two
Lexi Gonzalez opened game two with a home run in the first inning, bringing in Delynn Rippy to take the lead 2-0.
The Titans rallied again in the In the bottom of the third inning, starting with a Delynn Rippy single, followed by Ariana Williams reaching first on a fielder's choice. A throwing error on the next play allowed Zoe Richard to reach base, and also brought in Rippy and Williams. Lexi Gonzalez then came around to score on a passed ball, and after three innings the Titans led 5-0.
CSUN had back-to-back solo home runs in the top of the fourth, then in the fifth inning, they added another run with an RBI triple, bringing the game to 5-3.
The Titans continued to fight, and in the bottom of the fifth, Kylie Padilla's solo home run helped them out to a 6-3 lead.
In the top of the seventh, CSUN tried to catch up with two RBI singles, but it wasn't enough as the Titans held on for the 6-5 victory.
Sydney Golden earned her fifth win allowing five hits on three runs, while Sophie Frost got her second save allowing two runs on six hits. Rebecca Bell took her third loss of the season, giving up five runs, four earned, on four hits.
Cal State Fullerton will play again on Friday, May 12 at UC Santa Barbara at 3 p.m.
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