SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton (3-6) lost both of their games on Sunday to close out the Campbell/Cartier Tournament falling to NDSU (5-4) 9-1 in five innings and SDSU (3-8) 2-1 in a well-pitched battle.
In game one of the day, the Titans started strong as senior Kenzie Grimes made her first career start and only allowed one baserunner in her first two innings of work. Facing the minimum, not a single ball left the infield against Grimes through the first pair of frames.
On the offensive side, freshman Deshea Hill led off the second with a single into left field. Kelsie Whitmore would come off the bench and pinch run for her, stealing second base early in the next count. Sophomore Zoe Richard then sent one into the right-center gap, good for an RBI double. That would be the only run of the contest for Fullerton though.
NDSU came back up for their third inning ABs and the Fullerton defense struggled. Three errors in the inning resulted in five unearned runs for the Bison as they claimed the lead. A shutout fourth inning by the Fullerton defense gave them a little bit of momentum, but their bats were cold and could not get anything going.
North Dakota State put up four more in the top of the fifth, including a three-run home run from Dani Renner and the run-rule came into effect. The 9-1 final score marked the third straight game that Fullerton lost a run-ruled shorten game.
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The scoring started early for both teams as they both plated a run in the first inning. For Fullerton, it was a great hustle play from Brooke Clemetson. After working a leadoff walk, she moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt from Sammie Vandiver. Then, Ari Williams also lays down a bunt and beats the throw to first for an infield knock. Clemetson showed off the wheels scoring from second on the play. Yes, she scored from second…on a bunt…right in front of the plate.
The Aztecs plated their first run of the ballgame courtesy of back-to-back doubles in the bottom half of the first. Both pitchers settled in after that, as we remained knotted up at 1 up until the fifth.
Courtesy of a bloop single and some small ball, the Aztecs would pick up their second run of the game in the home half of the fifth and that's all they would need as SDSU held the Fullerton offense in check and hand the Titans their fifth straight loss.
It was by far the best-pitched game for Fullerton this weekend with credit going to freshman Taylor Dockins. She went the distance recording her first career complete game, allowing two runs on nine hits and picking up two strikeouts while walking just one Aztec.
The Titans are back in action at Anderson Family Field as the Toreros of San Diego come to town for a midweek matchup on Thursday. First pitch is at 5:00 p.m.
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