SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton softball team closed out the regular season with a doubleheader split against UC Santa Barbara. The Titans took game one by a score of 6-5, before the Gauchos came back and won game two, 2-0.
With the split, the Titans' season record moved to 33-21 (16-5 Big West), while the Gauchos dropped to 31-26 (11-10 Big West) overall.
Cal State Fullerton will find out its opponent in the NCAA Regional on Sunday, May 14 during the NCAA Selection Show at 5:30 p.m. (PT).
Game One
Sydney Golden earned her sixth win, allowing five runs, two earned, on nine hits, while Kelsey Kessler earned her first save of the season. Golden pitched a strong game with a total of eight strikeouts, her season best. Gaucho pitcher Lilliana Rodriguez took her second loss, allowing four runs, one earned, on three hits.
The Titans kicked off the four-run rally in the top of the third inning with singles from Delynn Rippy and Samantha Vandiver. Ariana Williams was next at-bat and walked, loading the bases.
Lexi Gonzalez then reached from an error on the Gaucho second baseman, bringing in Rippy and Vandiver, and advancing Williams advanced into scoring position. Zoe Richard then popped up to first, which scored Williams, then Gonzalez came around to score on an illegal pitch.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Titans added two more with a Samantha Vandiver double, bringing in Sydney Colenzo and Delynn Rippy.
The Gauchos battled back in the top of the seventh and scored five runs, but it wasn't enough, and the Titans walked away with the 6-5 win.
Game Two
In game two, Sophie Frost earned her first loss of the season, allowing two runs on three hits. Lena Mayer took home her fifth win, shutting out the Titans, holding them to just four hits.
Shianne Brannan stood out offensively in the second game going two for three at-bat.
The Titans competed with the Gauchos, but in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Gauchos scored two runs to take the lead and the win 2-0.
The Cal State Fullerton softball team invites friends, family and fans to come out to Roscoe's Famous Deli in Fullerton on Sunday, May 14 to watch the NCAA Division I Softball Selection Show. Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m.
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