HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Cal State Fullerton (24-20, 9-1 BWC) rallied back from a three-run deficit on the shoulders of Bryanna Ybarra's two-homer game to take a 4-3 win over Hawai'i (20-19, 4-6 BWC).
Sophie Frost got the start in the circle for the Titans and despite a rough first inning, she bounced back and threw six quality innings. Overall, she gave up three runs on six hits and four walks while striking out half a dozen UH hitters. Trish Parks came on in the seventh to close it out and record her first save of the season.
Offensively, Ybarra was the headliner going 2-2 with two home runs and three RBI. Zoe Richard had the other Titan RBI going 1-3 with an RBI single. Ari Williams and Julia Valenzuela also recored 1-3 performances and Deshea Hill had the only other Fullerton knocking going 1-2 at the plate.
After Fullerton was set down in order in the top of the first, Hawai'i got the scoring started in the bottom of the first thanks to a pair of home runs. Rachael Turner connected for a two-run homer and that was followed by a solo shot from Britnee Rossi to make it a 3-0 game early in favor of the Rainbow Wahine.
The Titans answered back right away in the top half of the second though. After Deshea Hill was hit by a pitch, Ybarra stepped in and crushed her third home run of the season to bring Fullerton back within one.
Frost settled in nicely after the rough first inning setting down seven of the next eight UH hitters with the only baserunner coming via walk two-out walk in the third.
Fullerton tied the ballgame in the fourth thanks to some small ball as Hill worked a walk and Kelsie Whitmore ran for her. Ybarra would lay down a sac bunt and Richard came through with a single into right to bring in Whitmore.
The tie wouldn't hold though as Ybarra came to the dish in top of the sixth and connected for her second homer of the ballgame, a solo shot to left-center. It's the first time a Titan has had a multi-homer game since Ari Williams did it last season on March 17.
Frost was in cruise control at this point as she proceeded to strike out the side in the home half of sixth with some nasty off-speed. Parks came in to finish off the victory walking one and striking out another to collect her first save of the season.
Fullerton will face off against Hawai'i in a double-header Saturday as they look to take the series victory. Game one will start at 2:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. back home).
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